The Mets’ decision to go all-in as sellers has opened the door for the Pirates, and it’s a door they ought to walk through fast. New York has made it clear it will only keep starting pitchers Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, outfielders Carson Benge, A.J.
Ewing, and Juan Soto off the table. Everyone else is in play.
That matters because the Mets’ available group is deep enough to give Pittsburgh real options, especially in the bullpen. For a Pirates team that has already gotten a first-half lift from the top-ranked offense and is rolling out a rotation of Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler, the obvious need is relief help. That’s where the Mets line up neatly with what Pittsburgh needs most.
The cleanest targets are the left-handers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter.
Both are rentals, but they offer different selling points. Minter has posted a 1.42 ERA and 2.84 FIP this season, though his prorated $11 million salary makes him the pricier option.
Raley comes with less financial baggage, with the remainder of a $4.75 million contract, and he’s been the sturdier arm of the two, making twice as many appearances while putting up a 2.02 ERA and 3.18 FIP.
Then there’s Luke Weaver, the name that jumps off the page. He’s the best bullpen prize the Mets can offer, and he’s backed it up with a 2.03 ERA and 2.82 FIP across 40 innings.
His recent scoreless streak ran 23 games before it was snapped, and during that stretch he went 25.1 straight innings without giving up a run. That kind of run changes how a bullpen looks.
For Pittsburgh, Weaver would fit either as the closer they’ve been missing or in the high-leverage role he’s handled with the Mets this season. He also brings postseason experience from the Yankees’ 2024 World Series run, which only adds to the appeal if the Pirates want a steady hand for the second half.
The Mets don’t just offer bullpen help, either. Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes are among the starting pitchers who will be discussed heavily, while Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio are also on the market. Francisco Alvarez could even be moved if the return is right.
Still, the Pirates’ priority is clear. Their biggest flaw sits in the relief corps, and the Mets have the kind of inventory that can fix it.
Whether it’s Weaver, Raley, Minter, or even a controllable arm like Huascar Brazobán, Pittsburgh has a chance to address the problem directly. With a seller this loaded on the board, Ben Cherington and company can’t afford to miss.
In Other News...
Pirates Could Make One Deadline Move Fans Never Saw Coming
With the trade deadline approaching and the Pirates hanging around the playoff race, the front office is being pushed to weigh short-term help against longer-term value. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Pittsburgh is looking at ways to bolster the bullpen and may still want another starter, even as the club leans on outfield depth to keep the roster flexible.
Oneil Cruz has been part of the conversation because his time in Pittsburgh has not fully matched the expectations that once surrounded him, and he is currently on the 60-day injured list. The possibility of moving a player with his profile would have sounded far-fetched not long ago, but it reflects how aggressively the Pirates may be willing to chase pitching help if they decide this is the moment to press in the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Just Sent Fans Another Infuriating Deadline Message
The Pirates have given themselves a real reason to be in the market this month. After a season in which the offense has taken a clear step forward, the club is at least exploring more aggressive trade-deadline options, and the need is obvious enough: the bullpen has been a problem, the rotation could use help, and the front office has a chance to support a team that is trying to stay in the race instead of treating July like a reset button.
What has made the latest deadline chatter so frustrating for fans is the familiar question of how far ownership is willing to go to back that push. Local voices have already pushed back on the idea that payroll has to be treated like a hard ceiling, but the uncertainty hangs over every possible move the Pirates might make. If the club truly wants to add meaningfully, it will have to show it is willing to act like a contender, not just talk like one. [Read more 🡒]