3 Mets trade candidates to keep unless the offer is too good to be true

It’s been a while since the New York Mets were trade deadline sellers. The year was 2018 and much like this ongoing season, the club suffered a debilitating June which confirmed our worst fears: the team wasn’t any good.

From 2019-2022, the Mets bought at the trade deadline. They’re going to end the streak this year. There hasn’t been enough signs of life from the players to say some sort of tremendous comeback is going to occur.

Every free agent-to-be should be on the trade block as should some of those veterans with contracts extending beyond 2023. Core pieces like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and any of the Baby Mets should stay put. The same goes for these three more realistic trade candidates who shouldn’t get dealt anywhere unless the offer Billy Eppler receives is too good to be true.

1) NY Mets should hold onto Brooks Raley unless they get a sweetheart offer

Here’s a new oxymoron for you: a good 2023 Mets pitcher. Brooks Raley has delivered out of the bullpen for the Mets this season. The main southpaw for Buck Showalter was picked up in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason and has, for the most part, met expectations. He’s one of the handful of Mets relievers we can put faith in.

Raley’s contract includes a $6.5 million team option for next year or a $1.25 million buyout the Mets don’t have to worry about. The price tag on Raley for 2024 is pretty spot on for what he should get. If he can survive the trade deadline, Raley would be a nice piece to have back in next year’s bullpen.

The Mets may blow up a portion of the roster but don’t look to see a major reset. They have more than enough trade chips on expiring or even overpriced contracts. The second they trade Raley is the second they already begin to scout his replacement. 

Unless someone comes along and offers the Mets a deal too good to pass on, Raley should stay put.