Should the Mets Be Sellers at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline?
The Mets have reached a crossroads. They enter tonight’s series opener against San Diego at 27-35 and in last place in the NL East, prompting national writers to openly discuss whether the New York Mets should become sellers at the trade deadline. Freddy Peralta has become one of the most talked-about potential trade chips on the market, but New York also possesses other intriguing options like Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter, and Huascar Brazoban. With the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline looming just two months away on August 3rd at 6:00 p.m. EDT, the clock is officially ticking in Queens.
If the Mets decide to become sellers at the deadline, Peralta is undoubtedly their top trade asset. Currently serving as the ace of the rotation, the impending free agent has put up solid numbers through 13 starts and 72 innings, posting a 4-4 record with a 3.63 ERA and 74 strikeouts. As a high-end rental, Peralta could command a return of one or two top-tier prospects. Plenty of contenders are desperate for starting pitching, and the righty has already been linked to teams like the Chicago Cubs, who could also view him as a prime candidate for a long-term contract extension upon arrival.
Raley is the top reliever trade option for the Mets, standing out as one of the most reliable left-handed relievers in baseball with a 1.61 ERA this season. At 37 and on an expiring deal, he has no long-term value to a rebuilding team. While he is elite across the board, contenders specifically look for arms who can shut down heavy-hitting lefties in late-game postseason scenarios. Raley is a premier "lefty specialist" who has historically neutralized left-handed batters, holding them to minuscule batting averages and an OPS under .350 at points in his career. In addition, Raley's contract is incredibly reasonable; he's making a base of $4.75 million on his 2026 option, meaning any team trading for him only has to pay the remaining pro-rated portion of that salary for August and September. Even teams right up against the luxury tax threshold can easily slide Raley onto their payroll without blinking.
The primary catalyst for selling is that the Mets simply haven't dug themselves out of their early-season hole. Sitting at 27–35, the team has looked entirely uninspired for the first third of the year. The Mets are 14.5 games back of the Braves for first place in the NL East. However, they are only six games back of the Wild Card, though they sit behind six other teams. The Atlanta Braves are completely running away with things at 42–21, playing like a powerhouse destined for a deep October run. The Philadelphia Phillies, at 33–29, remain a highly dangerous veteran squad with elite talent, and even the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins have managed to stay ahead of New York in the standings. Overall, the National League has more talented teams than the American League, and it's going to be tough for the Mets to come back from the early hole they're in order to make the postseason.
