The Mets may be heading toward a sell-off, and Luke Weaver looks like the kind of arm that can bring back real value.
After firing manager Carlos Mendoza last week, New York is sitting 15 games under .500 on the last day of June and appears positioned to become a seller before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.
That puts President of Baseball Operations David Stearns in a pivotal spot, especially with August looming as a chance for him to prove himself. If the Mets start shopping expiring contracts and other veterans with market appeal, Weaver would be one of the names worth dangling.
The 32-year-old right-hander has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season. In 33 games, he is 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA and has held opponents to a .163 batting average. He has also gone 21 straight outings without allowing an earned run, or even a run at all, underscoring just how dominant he has been.
That kind of production would draw interest, and the Nationals are a logical place to start the conversation. A trade between NL East rivals might not feel obvious, but it could work for both sides. Washington has the kind of prospect depth that could help New York rebuild, and Weaver’s salary and control make him a more attractive chip than a typical rental.
If the Mets are serious about targeting a return, the package should begin with Washington’s No. 4 prospect, Ronny Cruz. The 19-year-old is ranked No. 85 overall in baseball and was acquired by the Nationals at last year’s trade deadline when they dealt starting pitcher Michael Soroka to the Chicago Cubs.
Cruz also fits a need for New York because of his defensive flexibility. He’s a natural shortstop, but Washington has already given him work at shortstop, third base, and second base.
That kind of versatility matters for a Mets team that does not have either second base or third base locked down for the near future. The Nationals’ own infield situation adds to the logic, with CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. blocking shortstop and second base, while No. 1 prospect Eli Willits would likely get playing time before Cruz.
At High-A this season, Cruz has hit .233 with five homers and 23 RBIs, along with a .627 OPS and .286 OBP in 54 games. His June has been stronger, as he’s hit .298 with four XBH, four RBI and a .353 OBP.
Defensively, Cruz brings smooth actions, strong range, and a plus 60-grade arm that can make deep throws from the left side of the infield. Offensively, his bat is the calling card.
He has elite raw power for a 19-year-old infielder, regularly producing exit velocities up to 110 mph, and scouts project him to eventually hit 25 to 30 home runs in the majors. His plus speed only adds to the appeal.
Another piece that could make sense for New York is Washington’s No. 16 prospect, Alejandro Rosario. The 24-year-old was part of the Nationals’ return for former pitcher MacKenzie Gore, who was sent to the Rangers. Rosario had Tommy John surgery earlier this year, but in 2024 he posted a 2.24 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 17 starts in the Rangers’ farm system.
For the Mets, adding Cruz and Rosario would be a meaningful step toward restocking a farm system that has been thinned out over the last season. Both players would likely rank near the top of the organization’s prospect list.
Weaver’s value is also boosted by his contract. While top closers on the open market often command an average annual value in the $16 million to $20 million range, Weaver is making $11 million. That gives any team acquiring him more than just one season of help under a team-friendly deal.
The Nationals have a clear reason to be interested. Their offense has been one of the league’s best, ranking fifth with a .739 team OPS and tying the Dodgers for the most total runs in baseball with 452. What has kept them from fully separating in the NL Wild Card race is the bullpen, which has blown 24 save opportunities, only 12 shy of the single-season MLB record, and that’s in June.
Washington is 43-43 and sits 2.5 games back in a crowded NL Wild Card chase. Weaver would give them a dependable late-inning option to finish games, while the Mets would get a much-needed boost to their system.
It is the kind of deal that makes sense for both clubs, and one that should be on the table before August.
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