The most complicated trade candidate on the Mets roster gets more tangled

A summer sell-off for the New York Mets will include some obvious players changing uniforms. Everyone not under contract for next season is up for grabs. Multiple players who lose their minor league options should also be on the table as well as a few controllable pieces whose salaries don’t vibe with the payroll.

Out of everyone on the roster, the one player who stands out as the most complicated is Reed Garrett. Who could’ve predicted this? The 31-year-old has been their best player; well, until Friday night against the San Francisco Giants. Not even free agent eligible until after the 2029 season, he’s a guy the Mets can either move forward with as a part of the bullpen or sell at an all-time high.

Garrett is, without a doubt, the most complicated trade candidate the Mets have.

The case for the Mets to trade Reed Garrett

Even if you buy into Garrett right now and can brush off the recent outing, the fickle nature of relief pitchers might have you considering a move. He’s one injury away from disaster. It would be a much different scenario if he had minor league options remaining after this season or had yet to blow out 30 candles on a birthday cake. Alas, Garrett doesn’t meet the criteria.

Mets fans may be in for a disappointing trade deadline. Pete Alonso has done little to increase his value. Starting pitcher Luis Severino has performed well, but those same injury fears will have his price tag dropping. 

That’s not to suggest the Mets would completely revamp their farm system with a Garrett trade. Let’s be realistic. At best, they can pick up a quality prospect blocked on an MLB roster. It would be the ultimate sell high move to make and help set the Mets up better for the future.

The case for the Mets to not trade Reed Garrett

Speaking of the future, Garrett can be a part of it. Yes, he loses his minor league options. However, if the Mets were even in consideration to demote him, it probably means he isn’t pitching all that well. It’s a choice between buying into what he has done this year or not. If the Mets truly believe in his powers, keeping him is a must.

Garrett isn’t that old in baseball years, especially not for a reliever. The number of years they can have him around making very little money in a high-leverage relief role would be something we’re not used to. Setting the bar low with Garrett only remaining an asset for just another season or two alone makes him worth keeping.

The Mets have a lot of open spots in the bullpen next year with Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, Jorge Lopez, and Brooks Raley all set to hit the open market. They can trade Garrett and hope they’re able to replace him. They can also keep him around and squeeze several more years out of him rather than hope whatever they acquire in a trade becomes just as useful.

The verdict

Previous to his last two outings, it felt like a team would need to make a ridiculously good offer for the Mets to part with Garrett. Chances are those clubs will find a more favorable agreement elsewhere or with the Mets by taking on any of the other relief pitcher trade candidates. The Mets can’t get rid of everyone and as much as we like Garrett, other teams would be foolish to overpay for a reliever of any kind when there are so many others out there.

Just ask the Minnesota Twins how they’re feeling about when they traded for Lopez back in 2022. Garrett's trade candidacy grew more complicated this week. I'd still hold on unless the right offer comes around. It's tough to see anyone offering as high of a return for what the Mets could be rewarded with by keeping him.