The Mets and Padres are deep in trade talks, and while nothing’s final yet, the names being floated around are enough to make any baseball fan sit up and take notice. According to reports, the framework involves New York potentially landing established big-league talent, while San Diego would receive MLB-ready youth and some much-needed salary relief. It’s the kind of deal that could reshape both rosters heading into 2026 - if it gets across the finish line.
Among the players the Mets are said to be targeting: right-hander Nick Pivetta, outfielder Ramón Laureano, and a trio of high-upside relievers in Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and Jeremiah Estrada. That’s a mix of proven arms and intriguing bullpen firepower. On the flip side, the Padres have their eyes on the Mets’ young core - players who are already in the majors or knocking on the door - as well as some of the organization’s top prospects, including Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong.
It’s worth noting that some of the biggest names on both rosters - Francisco Lindor, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jake Cronenworth - haven’t been part of the discussion. That doesn’t take the blockbuster potential off the table, though.
There’s still plenty of star power and high-stakes maneuvering in play here. And with Padres president of baseball operations A.J.
Preller known for working the phones nonstop, and Mets PBO David Stearns no stranger to bold moves himself, this could be more than just a casual conversation.
Pivetta’s name has already been circulating in trade rumors this offseason, but this situation is layered. San Diego had one of the most dominant bullpens in 2025, and while closer Robert Suarez has already departed for Atlanta in free agency, the Padres still boast a strong relief group.
That said, their starting rotation is thin - which makes the idea of moving Pivetta a bit of a gamble. He was a stabilizing force in their rotation last season, and losing him would put even more pressure on the bullpen to carry the load.
But here’s where the financials come into play. Pivetta signed a four-year, $55 million deal last offseason, and while it’s backloaded - with $51 million still owed - he has an opt-out after the 2026 season.
If he pitches anything like he did in 2025, there’s a strong chance he’ll test the market again. That gives San Diego a narrow window to maximize his value, and if Preller can flip him for multiple young, controllable players who can contribute in 2026 and beyond, it might be worth the risk.
From the Mets’ perspective, the challenge is balancing short-term gain with long-term cost. Giving up top-tier young talent for what could be just one year of Pivetta is a tough sell.
Nolan McLean, for instance, is reportedly close to untouchable. Outfield prospect Carson Benge is also considered nearly off-limits.
But there might be more flexibility around names like Tong, Sproat, or even Jett Williams - depending on the return.
One potential package that’s been floated: Pivetta, Laureano, and a controllable reliever like Miller or Estrada. That would give the Mets a mid-rotation starter, a veteran outfield option for 2026, and a bullpen weapon with years of team control. It’s a compelling mix - but it would also be a hefty haul for San Diego to give up in a single deal.
That’s why there’s some thought that the Padres could get more value by breaking up these assets and moving them individually. Miller, in particular, would command a significant return on his own. San Diego paid a high price to acquire him from Oakland just this past July, and they’re unlikely to part with him unless the offer is overwhelming.
Still, if the Padres are serious about creating payroll flexibility, moving Pivetta’s contract could be a key step. And from the Mets’ angle, acquiring short-term pieces like Pivetta and Laureano might be more appealing than diving into the deep end of free agency with long-term commitments.
When two front offices as creative and aggressive as Preller’s and Stearns’ get involved, just about anything is possible. This isn’t just a rumor to brush off - it’s a situation worth tracking closely as the offseason unfolds. A deal of this magnitude could shift the balance in both leagues come 2026.