With the trade deadline set for Aug. 3, the Mets are staring down a roster shakeup that could hit the bullpen especially hard.
A.J. Minter is one of the clearest names to watch.
The left-hander was at his locker at Citi Field on Friday night before the Mets faced the Dodgers, even though he knows that spot may not be his for much longer. New York’s 4-2 loss dropped the club to 43-61 and pushed the team deeper into seller territory.
“I wish it could be different, obviously,” Minter told Newsday. “But at the same time, selfishly, I want to go compete for a World Series.
And hopefully I can get that opportunity. That’s all you can ask for.
That’s why we play this sport, to win.”
Minter is an obvious trade candidate because his contract is expiring. The 32-year-old, now in his second season with the Mets, returned on May 26 after last year’s left lat surgery and entered the weekend at 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA over 22 games. He said he would hope to bring back “a little prospect” if the Mets move him.
He’s not pretending the situation is anything other than what it is.
“It’s all new for me,” Minter said. “But I’ve been in this game long enough.
I know how it goes. It’s a business.
I know where we stand as a team and the direction we’re going. I think I’m viewing it as an opportunity.
“Of course, I want to help this organization out as much as I can. They’ve done everything for me.
They’ve taken care of me. I’ve been through two big surgeries.
I wish I could’ve done more, obviously.”
David Stearns, the president of baseball operations, said he is “extremely disappointed” the Mets are in this position. He’s the one steering the retooling effort, with next season in mind, and the roster should look different by a week from Monday.
Some players appear safer than others. Juan Soto, who suffered a Grade 2 left calf strain Friday night and went on the 10-day injured list Saturday, along with young outfielders Carson Benge and A.J.
Ewing, starters Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, and perhaps rookie lefty Zac Thornton, should be able to breathe easier. Francisco Lindor may also fit into that group, though Stearns would not shut the door on any player despite Lindor’s no-trade clause and the five-plus years left on his 10-year, $341 million deal.
For everyone else, the uncertainty is real.
“I’m extremely disappointed that we’re in this situation,” Stearns said.
The bullpen could be the biggest area of change. Brooks Raley also has an expiring contract and looks likely to be dealt.
Luke Weaver has been excellent and is signed through 2027, which makes him more of a hold than a chip. Huascar Brazoban could also draw interest.
“It’s definitely sad to break up this group,” Minter said, “but I’ve enjoyed my time here as well.”
There could be movement in the rotation, too. Freddy Peralta did not match expectations in a walk year and is expected to be moved.
Clay Holmes is another name to watch. The 33-year-old right-hander is nearing a return from a fractured fibula and can opt out after the season. He said he is open to an extension, but added, “I don’t think there’s been a ton there.”
Holmes could make one more rehab start before taking his next major-league turn somewhere else.
“It’s a unique scenario,” Holmes said. “… Sometimes, it’s easy to let your mind wonder.”
There are also position players who could attract attention. Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor are on that list, and Bo Bichette could be as well, though his situation is complicated by an opt out after this season and next in his three-year, $126 million deal, plus a no-trade clause.
Catching could be part of the conversation, too, with Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens likely to interest other clubs. But replacing either one would not be simple.
Interim manager Andy Green said the human side of all this is unavoidable, and he’s been talking with players whose names are circulating.
“It’s human nature to think about what happens next in life before you get there,” Green said. “… I have those conversations with every guy that’s name gets bandied about. I tend to go to [him] and say, ‘I’m not going to bring this up, but if you want to talk about anything, I’ll tell you everything I know at any moment you’d like to know it.’
“I think all of them realize the healthiest thing for them is not to be focused on that and to just be focused on their work every day and be focused on winning a baseball game.”
Minter, for his part, said he’d even be open to coming back.
“That’s not the case with every organization,” Minter said. “So I would definitely entertain the idea of coming back here.”
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