7/25/25

With the trade deadline quickly approaching on July 31st, the Mets are expected to be active this year once again, and as reported, they are projected to take calls on starting pitching. 

Here are some options:

Mitch Keller - Pirates

Keller, who has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, is expected to be on the trade block and could be the most pricy option at starting pitching. The 29-year-old is under team control through 2028 and has a salary for 2025 at $15.4 million. Across 125 innings, Keller has a 3.53 ERA, 1.160 WHIP, 7 K/9, and a 2 WAR.

Dylan Cease - Padres

An interesting option could be Dylan Cease, who the Mets have checked in on. The Padres are still trying for a playoff push and will be buyers at the deadline, but if the price is right, Cease could be sold due to his contract being up at the end of the year. Cease has posted a 4.59 ERA in 2025 with a WHIP of 1.30 and a 3-10 record.

Zac Gallen - Diamondbacks 

As reported by Francys Romero, the Diamondbacks are expected to trade 5-6 players, and one of those players is likely Zac Gallen. Gallen would be another rental arm who will hit free agency at the end of the year. In 2025, the right-handed pitcher has posted a disappointing 5.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, -0.1 WAR, and a 4.81 FHIP across 21 games.

Seth Lugo - Royals

A familiar name for Mets fans is former reliever, now turned starter, Seth Lugo. In only his 3rd year starting, the 36-year-old has a 2.95 ERA in 113 innings pitched. In 2024, Lugo was outstanding, finishing with a 3 ERA, finishing 2nd in AL CY Young voting and 15th in MVP voting, along with an All-Star and Gold Glove. Like others, Lugo is expected to be a free agent at the end of the year. 

Out of all four of the players listed, Mitch Keller comes with the high price due to his performance and team control for the next 4 seasons, and a trade with the Pirates could see either Acuna, Vientos, Baty, or Mauricio in the trade package. The other three listed could cost just 2 basic top 20 prospects due to them just being rentals.