The Mets and Padres are reportedly deep in trade discussions, and if things break right, this could turn into one of the more creative deals of the offseason. According to multiple reports, New York and San Diego have been actively engaged in talks, with as many as five Padres players discussed as potential trade chips. That’s not just a single-player swap - that’s a potential roster shake-up.
Here’s what we know: the Mets are looking to address multiple needs, and the Padres might just be the one-stop shop they’re looking for. Among the names floated from San Diego’s big-league roster are starter Nick Pivetta, outfielder Ramón Laureano, and relievers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and Jeremiah Estrada. That’s a mix of high-leverage arms, a power-hitting outfielder, and a workhorse starter - all areas where the Mets could use reinforcements.
For the Padres, the motivation is clear. They’re operating under a tighter budget this winter and are looking for ways to retool while staying competitive in a division that still runs through Los Angeles.
Moving some of these players would give them payroll flexibility, and in return, they’d likely tap into the Mets’ loaded farm system - widely regarded as one of the best in baseball. San Diego president of baseball operations A.J.
Preller has never been shy about making bold moves, and this could be another opportunity to reshape the roster, either by flipping prospects or opening up space for free-agent additions.
But make no mistake - if the Mets want to walk away with multiple players from that group, especially someone like Mason Miller, the cost is going to be steep.
Let’s start with Miller. The 27-year-old flamethrower is one of the most electric relievers in the game.
His fastball lives in the triple digits, and his strikeout metrics are off the charts. Last season, he punched out nearly 45% of the batters he faced - the highest mark in the league, even ahead of Edwin Díaz.
That kind of dominance doesn’t come cheap. The Padres gave up a haul to get him from Oakland last summer, including top prospect Leo De Vries, and Miller is still under team control through 2029.
The Mets are clearly interested - they’ve been linked to Miller since the trade deadline - but the question is whether they’re willing to part with some of their most prized young talent. Names like Jett Williams, Carson Benge, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat have all surfaced as potential trade assets.
Nolan McLean, however, appears to be off-limits. After an eye-opening debut, the right-hander is seen as a future ace, and the Mets seem intent on keeping him out of any talks.
Beyond Miller, there’s real intrigue in the rest of the Padres’ bullpen arms. Estrada brings a similar strikeout-heavy profile, while Morejon gives you a lefty who excels at limiting hard contact and keeping the ball on the ground.
With A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley already in the Mets’ bullpen, Estrada - a righty - might be the cleaner fit, but both arms would bolster a unit that’s looking to rebound after a shaky 2025.
Then there’s Pivetta, who might be the most practical target of the bunch. After a career year - 2.87 ERA over 181 2/3 innings - he finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting.
That kind of durability and effectiveness is exactly what the Mets need after their rotation faltered down the stretch last season. Pivetta is owed $19 million in 2026 and can opt out of the final two years of his deal after that.
For a team like the Mets, who can absorb that salary, he represents a short-term fix with upside.
Laureano, meanwhile, is coming off a strong season split between Baltimore and San Diego. He matched his career high with 24 homers, hit .281, and posted an .855 OPS across 132 games.
He’s not a direct replacement for Pete Alonso’s power, but he brings legitimate right-handed pop and would offer protection for Juan Soto in the lineup, particularly against lefties. While his range in the outfield has dipped, his arm remains elite, and defensive metrics suggest he can still hold his own across all three spots.
With only one year left on his deal, he wouldn’t block the Mets’ top outfield prospects from getting their shot in the near future.
Of course, it all comes down to price. The Padres aren’t going to give these players away, and the Mets will need to decide just how much of their future they’re willing to sacrifice to win now. Veterans like Jeff McNeil could be part of the equation as well - especially after the club acquired Marcus Semien in the Brandon Nimmo trade - and pitchers like Kodai Senga and David Peterson have also been floated in various trade scenarios.
Nothing is imminent, and reports indicate that talks haven’t reached the final stages. But the framework of a potential blockbuster is there. The Mets are clearly exploring ways to reshape their roster, and the Padres - with their mix of talent and financial motivation - might be the perfect partner.
If a deal comes together, it could be the kind of move that defines both teams’ offseasons. For now, it’s a situation worth watching closely.