"Manaea and Winker are like trade deadline acquisitions" - BVW probably
But in all seriousness, Manaea and Winker would be decent trade deadline acquisitions if they perform like last season. Tyrone Taylor's prolonged offensive slump and a preference for McNeil to continue moving around the field have convinced me there's an upgrade to be had in CF (because I don't think Stearns is about to give up on Vientos/Baty/Mauricio just yet). Is that Mullins? Buxton?Can't really see Minnesota dealing Byron. Mullins feels like a decent upgrade but maybe not a true difference maker. Tough calls ahead for Stearns, but I've got faith.
This was a reasonable assumption for the August 1st roster.
The only reason to supplement the rotation would be if Senga or Manaea could not pitch. Montas $34m commitment will not be jettison in one month. There is no room for Blackburn in the healthy roster.
They should supplement the bullpen with a reliable 8th inning reliever no matter what.
An offensive center fielder would be an upgrade. Buxton or Friedl would be a good foot fit if the Twins or Reds fall out of contention. Suarez, a rental for third base, would also be an upgrade at third base if Arizona falls out of contention.
They just need to tread water until the All-Star break when Manaea and Senga get back.
They should've planned to replace Tidwell with McLean for the next start this Wednesday. Tong should be promoted immediately to AAA. If the Mets have a healthy rotation then their is no room for McLean in the rotation.
Agree with that 100%. Not sure why McLean is not here yet. We’ve seen so many arms dominate the lower minors and stall out in Syracuse, but he’s bucked that trend. He needs a shot, and certainly ahead of Tidwell as Metsense said. Tong should take McLean’s spot in the Syracuse rotation and see if he can match McLean’s AAA success.
I will be very sad to see a top five prospect traded this month. The Dodgers spent $1.5 b on pitchers with pedigree and OUT PITCHES. Hey, speaking of competing in 26’ have you seen Kevin Parada’s rise in AA? Clifford cutting down on strikeouts? A handful of CF prospects who one or even two might steal forty bases this year? We might have a strong Minker next year? Diaz will be closer to another free agency. But who in this forty man roster pen wise has been effective two years for ten innings in an entire playoff run? You get my point? To risk, trade Jett Williams this July, give me a break!!!
Possibly, the second half brings improvement from 2nd, 3rd, catcher, CF and DH? The other obvious, the pitching outlook is still very much unsettled — we’ve got talented arms, but many have short résumés and have shown both flashes and struggles. Add in the unpredictability of things like elbow chips, hamstring recovery, or two pitchers and Winkler back after pulling obliques, and it’s hard to project confidently. But who knows? Maybe August brings health, rhythm, and a real run.
Holmes has already pitched more innings this year than in any full season in his career. Not sure there’s much precedent for jumping from 60 innings to 160 which is the pace he’s on.
Holmes topped 100 IP 3X in the minors so it's not completely uncharted territory for him. If we're going to ignore minor league numbers, there are mutliple players who've upped their MLB usage over 100 IP, with Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling and David Wells among them.
Stearns is shrewd. I dont see him trading any of our top prospects, unless the player in return is worth it and is not a rental. He will also most likely not overpay. Besides pitching I think we should tradevfor a good bat regardless of what position they play and they could slide into the DH role. I would even look at first basemen, in case Alonso leaves after the season in free agency. Going to be an interesting month. I hope they turn it around.
Feels like every team—hot, hungry, and even more motivated—has been looking at the Mets like it’s a tee-ball scenario. (Excluding the Brewers with plus from last year and plus motivation the payroll restriction their manager tells everyone about) I’ve honestly been wondering how the Mets managed to carry such a high winning percentage into June. I hope this stretch of getting slaughtered ends soon.
Of course, having two legitimate stoppers in the rotation is every team’s first wish.
If we go out and buy a third baseman, does that mean we’re selling low on Vientos—or Baty, if not both? Maybe their baseline in 2026 is to platoon as DHs? Plus, there's always the chance one starts somewhere else. Tong?
I’d prioritize the long-term confidence of both Tong and McLean. And if the Eastern League has playoffs, I’d love to see the Rumble Ponies dominate—with Tong showing a full season’s consistency under the limelight: high-leverage situations, bigger media attention, all of it. The Yankees have always emphasized winning at the minor league level—season titles and all. I'd like to see that approach here, too.
I don’t know if Tong is from a small Canadian town or a Toronto suburb. I’d like to be measured in my expectations. Whatever decision the brass makes will come after serious discussion. (That said, he’s never even thrown a pitch in Triple-A.)
I pretty much agree with your assessment that Stearns is unlikely to shift too many pieces around at the trade deadline. Frankly I'll expect more Phil Maton/Jesse Winker/Brazoban types to be added like last year. Fringe players with upside. The expanded playoffs certainly complicate who is considered out of the running, but it also increases competition for the few guys available for trades. An overpayment is unlikely from the Mets but other teams could outbid if they are desperate enough. I'd like to think we've learned our lesson that trading away blue chip prospects like Crow Armstrong for flameouts like Baez isn't in the Mets long-term interests.
"Manaea and Winker are like trade deadline acquisitions" - BVW probably
But in all seriousness, Manaea and Winker would be decent trade deadline acquisitions if they perform like last season. Tyrone Taylor's prolonged offensive slump and a preference for McNeil to continue moving around the field have convinced me there's an upgrade to be had in CF (because I don't think Stearns is about to give up on Vientos/Baty/Mauricio just yet). Is that Mullins? Buxton?Can't really see Minnesota dealing Byron. Mullins feels like a decent upgrade but maybe not a true difference maker. Tough calls ahead for Stearns, but I've got faith.
This was a reasonable assumption for the August 1st roster.
The only reason to supplement the rotation would be if Senga or Manaea could not pitch. Montas $34m commitment will not be jettison in one month. There is no room for Blackburn in the healthy roster.
They should supplement the bullpen with a reliable 8th inning reliever no matter what.
An offensive center fielder would be an upgrade. Buxton or Friedl would be a good foot fit if the Twins or Reds fall out of contention. Suarez, a rental for third base, would also be an upgrade at third base if Arizona falls out of contention.
They just need to tread water until the All-Star break when Manaea and Senga get back.
No McClean? No Tong?
They should've planned to replace Tidwell with McLean for the next start this Wednesday. Tong should be promoted immediately to AAA. If the Mets have a healthy rotation then their is no room for McLean in the rotation.
Agree with that 100%. Not sure why McLean is not here yet. We’ve seen so many arms dominate the lower minors and stall out in Syracuse, but he’s bucked that trend. He needs a shot, and certainly ahead of Tidwell as Metsense said. Tong should take McLean’s spot in the Syracuse rotation and see if he can match McLean’s AAA success.
C'mon man if you're going to stump for a guy learn how to spell his name.
I will be very sad to see a top five prospect traded this month. The Dodgers spent $1.5 b on pitchers with pedigree and OUT PITCHES. Hey, speaking of competing in 26’ have you seen Kevin Parada’s rise in AA? Clifford cutting down on strikeouts? A handful of CF prospects who one or even two might steal forty bases this year? We might have a strong Minker next year? Diaz will be closer to another free agency. But who in this forty man roster pen wise has been effective two years for ten innings in an entire playoff run? You get my point? To risk, trade Jett Williams this July, give me a break!!!
Please do not capitalize words in your post as that is a violation of our comment policy.
Possibly, the second half brings improvement from 2nd, 3rd, catcher, CF and DH? The other obvious, the pitching outlook is still very much unsettled — we’ve got talented arms, but many have short résumés and have shown both flashes and struggles. Add in the unpredictability of things like elbow chips, hamstring recovery, or two pitchers and Winkler back after pulling obliques, and it’s hard to project confidently. But who knows? Maybe August brings health, rhythm, and a real run.
Holmes has already pitched more innings this year than in any full season in his career. Not sure there’s much precedent for jumping from 60 innings to 160 which is the pace he’s on.
Holmes topped 100 IP 3X in the minors so it's not completely uncharted territory for him. If we're going to ignore minor league numbers, there are mutliple players who've upped their MLB usage over 100 IP, with Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling and David Wells among them.
Well, we will certainly see how many more starts he has in him this year.
Stearns is shrewd. I dont see him trading any of our top prospects, unless the player in return is worth it and is not a rental. He will also most likely not overpay. Besides pitching I think we should tradevfor a good bat regardless of what position they play and they could slide into the DH role. I would even look at first basemen, in case Alonso leaves after the season in free agency. Going to be an interesting month. I hope they turn it around.
Feels like every team—hot, hungry, and even more motivated—has been looking at the Mets like it’s a tee-ball scenario. (Excluding the Brewers with plus from last year and plus motivation the payroll restriction their manager tells everyone about) I’ve honestly been wondering how the Mets managed to carry such a high winning percentage into June. I hope this stretch of getting slaughtered ends soon.
Of course, having two legitimate stoppers in the rotation is every team’s first wish.
If we go out and buy a third baseman, does that mean we’re selling low on Vientos—or Baty, if not both? Maybe their baseline in 2026 is to platoon as DHs? Plus, there's always the chance one starts somewhere else. Tong?
I’d prioritize the long-term confidence of both Tong and McLean. And if the Eastern League has playoffs, I’d love to see the Rumble Ponies dominate—with Tong showing a full season’s consistency under the limelight: high-leverage situations, bigger media attention, all of it. The Yankees have always emphasized winning at the minor league level—season titles and all. I'd like to see that approach here, too.
I don’t know if Tong is from a small Canadian town or a Toronto suburb. I’d like to be measured in my expectations. Whatever decision the brass makes will come after serious discussion. (That said, he’s never even thrown a pitch in Triple-A.)
I pretty much agree with your assessment that Stearns is unlikely to shift too many pieces around at the trade deadline. Frankly I'll expect more Phil Maton/Jesse Winker/Brazoban types to be added like last year. Fringe players with upside. The expanded playoffs certainly complicate who is considered out of the running, but it also increases competition for the few guys available for trades. An overpayment is unlikely from the Mets but other teams could outbid if they are desperate enough. I'd like to think we've learned our lesson that trading away blue chip prospects like Crow Armstrong for flameouts like Baez isn't in the Mets long-term interests.