5 expendable Mets players the team can move before the trade deadline

Blink and the MLB trade deadline will be here. You’ve probably already put in a PTO request at work so you can spend your entire day refreshing Twitter. Unlike last year when it was all about the New York Mets selling, the team has battled back to look more like buyers.

As buyers, they'll still be a team that could look to sell some parts from the 40-man roster. It’s not completely unusual for MLB players to get traded away in deals for teams looking to compete.

To make room for any additions the Mets may make, they’ll need to subtract from the roster. These five players, whether they’re traded away, sent to the minors, or designated for assignment, are all expendable for the Mets.

1) Sean Reid-Foley

There might not be anyone on the Mets roster who has overachieved more than Sean Reid-Foley. A candidate to get DFA’d before Opening Day, a convenient injury days before the final roster cuts allowed him to remain with the Mets organization. Since his IL return he has been unhittable. At times it was because he wasn't throwing strikes.

The Mets placed Reid-Foley on the IL which adds to a running theme of his time with the Mets. Amazingly, his 21.2 innings of work for them this year is the most he has ever had with this organization. Going back to when he first debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018, as a starting pitcher no less, the most he has logged is 33.1 from that first season.

SRF has been superb at times this year and his 1.66 ERA makes it tough to move on from him in any capacity with one exception: the Mets can get an equally as good of a reliever with minor league options or someone a bit more reliable.

Reid-Foley has masterfully allowed more unearned runs than earned ones this season with a total of 6 vs. 4. A 1.24 WHIP is made up mostly from the walk rate of 5.8 per 9. Not even arbitration eligible until next season for the first time, the Mets shouldn’t be afraid to shop him for, at the very least, someone they can count on to stay healthy.

2) David Peterson

Should the Mets trade David Peterson? It would probably only make sense under one circumstance. If a team is willing to part with a superior pitcher, they shouldn’t hesitate.

Peterson probably isn’t in the team’s plans for next year. Barring some kind of a sudden rise into excellence, he’s going to remain one of those fringe starting pitchers for the organization. He’s fine as a fifth or sixth starter next season. But for a team that’ll also have Tylor Megill whose own abilities fluctuate, it’s probably not the best intended plan to have both on next year’s roster. Each could have at least one minor league option remaining. It depends on whether or not the Mets ever send Peterson to the minors in 2024.

We’ve seen a very strange season out of Peterson in 2024. He’s winning games, throwing strikes, and pitching to contact. Less than 5 strikeouts per 9 is almost unbelievable in any sample size. The nasty stuff isn’t there. The Mets have much better options in the minors with Jose Butto and Christian Scott awaiting their call. 

Butto, for whatever it’s worth, has already used up his final year of being optioned to the minors. A much more fascinating option for the Mets going forward, selling Peterson over him would be more beneficial for the Amazins. However, Butto would be the far more desirable player because he has a lower salary and more years of control.

Peterson isn’t a starting pitcher to have on the roster if the Mets truly intend to contend for a playoff spot. A useful depth piece, he’s as expendable as they come.

3) DJ Stewart

In small doses, DJ Stewart is a fine player. To have him available for the weekly spot start or two over Starling Marte adds depth to the Mets roster. He’s their go-to left-handed bat off the bench when the splits suggest the pitcher will have a tougher time versus a lefty.

Of those players presently on the Mets roster, he’s one of the more debatable when it comes to finding an upgrade. The Mets can send him to the minors in favor of someone else. Whether it’s a fellow player with the team right now or a trade deadline acquisition, the ball club should be searching for alternatives.

The Mets are in a similar spot with Stewart as they are with David Peterson. A part of the reason why they may be tempted to keep him in the majors is to retain a minor league option if he returns next season. It’ll also take away from some of his trade value if they were to send him to Syracuse. Stewart isn’t a long-term piece for any ball club. However, the luxury of sending him to the minor leagues without consequence makes him far more intriguing of an addition.

Teams looking for a cheap first baseman/outfielder could be attracted enough to offer the Mets something for Stewart. The question is if the Mets can find a suitable replacement on the roster. It doesn’t have to be a direct alternative i.e. a left-handed power hitter. Someone like Luisangel Acuna, whose speed and positional versatility, would give them a different kind of weapon.

4) Jose Butto

Another one of those Mets players whose minor league options are drying up, Jose Butto is already against the wall. He’ll either need to be on the major league roster next season or face a designation for assignment. Some wild yet effective outings for the ball club this year both impressed and discouraged the ball club. He remains in the mix for some future starts in 2024, but another possibility is the Mets use him as trade bait.

Not all of the starting pitcher depth pieces the Mets have will get shopped around. It might be a choice between Butto and Peterson. Both aren’t necessary. And because Butto’s last year of being optioned to the minor leagues has already been used up, we can expect him to be the more likely casualty.

What’s more, Butto is younger than Peterson and has more years of control. He’s a project many Mets fans would agree they would like to see more of. Unfortunately, the team’s plans have pushed them in another direction.

If Butto can help the Mets add a more proven big league starting pitcher, the Mets shouldn’t hesitate. It doesn’t matter much if it’s a rental or not. Time isn’t on Butto’s side when it comes to having a future with the Mets. After this season, he no longer becomes a depth piece which is a big shame because it seems like we hardly got to know him.