New York Mets Deadline Deals Reflect New Organizational Plan

The New York Mets dealt pitchers and hitters alike as they remade their team for the future at the trade deadline.

The New York Mets have a new organizational plan for the future. That plan didn’t include the team the Mets hoped would be World Series contenders in 2024.

Instead the Mets spent the trade deadline preparing itself for a retooling to contend in 2025 or 2026. To make that happen, some talent had to go out the door. Quite a bit, in fact.

Here are the deals the Mets made at the trade deadline and their impact on the team now and in the future.

Astros acquire RHP Justin Verlander and cash from Mets for OF Drew Gilbert and OF Ryan Clifford

Once the Mets’ other veteran ace was dealt, Verlander saw the writing on the wall. He ultimately approved a trade back to his old team, the Houston Astros. The Mets also agreed to pick up quite a bit of Verlander’s remaining contract. The shame of is that, after a minor injury and a slow start, Verlander was starting pitch like himself again.

For Verlander the Mets got some future answers in the outfield. Gilbert and Clifford were Top 5 prospects in the Astros’ system and Gilbert could be ready to make the Majors next year. He was one of the best college hitters in 2022 and was already at Double-A when the deal went down.

Rangers acquire RHP Max Scherzer from Mets for INF Luisangel Acuña

Scherzer had to waive his no-trade clause to go to Texas, which has a team that can contend for a World Series. As the Mets are retooling, they needed to move Scherzer — and will pick up all but $22.5 million of Scherzer’s remaining salary.

Acuña was the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect and is the brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. The younger Acuña didn’t have a pathway to the Majors in Texas, but with an .830 OPS for the Rangers at Double-A, the Mets may have to find room for him soon. If anything, given what they gave up, the Mets probably should have gotten one more prospect.

Marlins acquire RHP David Robertson from Mets for INF Marco Vargas and C Ronald Hernández

This deal set everything else in motion and showed baseball that the Mets were in sell mode. Robertson had 14 saves for the Mets with a 2.05 ERA. He wasn’t supposed to be the Mets closer this year, but the injury to Edwin Diaz pressed him into service. Now he’ll try to help the Marlins reach the playoffs.

The Mets got two Top 30 prospects in return. But, it will take a while for Vargas and Hernández to be in a position to help. Both are in the Florida Complex League.

Diamondbacks acquire Mets OF Tommy Pham for INF Jeremy Rodriguez

The Mets probably had to move Pham, who is a free agent after this season and was slashing .268/.348/.472, increasing his value to a contender.

Rodriguez won’t help the Mets soon, but the 17-year-old showed promise playing in the Arizona Complex League. The Mets were unlikely to get more for Pham, who has enough pop in his bat to play 3-4 times a week for the D-Backs.

Brewers acquire OF Mark Canha from Mets for RHP Justin Jarvis

Another Mets outfielder that needed to be moved, Canha is a free agent after this season and he fits in with the Brewers as a veteran outfielder for a young position group. He’ll be most effective against right-handed pitching.

Jarvis gives the Mets a Top 30 prospect who was sharp at Double-A (3.33 ERA in 75 2.3 innings) before his promotion to Triple-A (10.80 ERA in 11 2.3 innings). Given another year, he could be ready for the Majors.

Angels acquire RHP Dominic Leone from Mets for INF Jeremiah Jackson

Leone is going to help the Angels more than the Mets, despite his 4.40 ERA in 30 innings of work. But, given what the Mets got, this is a good deal. Jackson was the Angels’ No. 9 overall prospect with 15 home runs and 21 stolen bases in Double-A this season. He’s been a pro since 2018.

Mets acquire Phil Bickford and Adam Kolarek from Dodgers for cash

The Mets needed arms after dealing both Robertson and Leone. Bickford and Kolarek qualify. Bickford has a 5.14 ERA this season and is a free agent after the season. Kolarek started his career with the Mets organization, has a 3.73 career ERA in the Majors and is also a free agent after the season. If they’re in Spring Training in February, it will be on veteran minimum deals.