Mets Trade Deadline Report Card
While the initial results haven’t been what we expected, 12 days removed from the MLB Trade Deadline it is safe to say David Stearns, Steve Cohen and the New York Mets left said deadline feeling primed to compete for a championship. While they were not able to bring in any starters for the rotation, they were able to address deficiencies in the bullpen while also adding a starting centerfielder.
The issues with pitching were apparent, the last time a starter not named David Peterson went 5 innings, was June 7th. However, despite the lack of length from the starters, the Mets bullpen has maintained a 3.82 ERA since June 13th, 10th best in baseball. Combined with the high cost of starting pitching and the soon to no -innings limits on Kodai Senga and Sean Manea, all eyes were on upgrading the bullpen and centerfield.
The Mets traded Jose Butto, Blade Tidwell and a slew of other prospects highlighted by Drew Gilbert, for Gregory Soto, Tyler Rodgers, Ryan Helsey and outfielder Cedric Mullins. Gilbert, who was part of the return from the Houston Astros for Justin Verlander in 2023, did not have an immediate path to the majors with the roster set, which leads to a deeper dive into the Mets acquisitions.
The Acquisitions
LHP Gregory Soto: Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles, Soto is a 4 tool pitcher whose whiff rates are highest on his sweeper pitch. According to statcast, his sweeper has a whiff rate of 42%, while batters are hitting .172 against the pitch. A much needed addition to an overtaxed bullpen in dire need of another left handed option.
Grade: B+
RHP Tyler Rogers: Acquired from the San Francisco Giants, Rogers, a submarine pitcher, is reliant on his sinker and slider. Opposing batters are hitting .188 against his slider while they hit, .221 against his sinker. Rogers will immediately enter the circle of trust for Carlos Mendoza to lead to Edwin Diaz to finish out games.
Grade: A+
RHP Ryan Helsley: Acquired from the St.Louis Cardinals, Helsley profiles incredibly similarly to Edwin Diaz. Helsley is a high velocity pitcher with heavy reliance on his slider with opposing batters hitting .092 with a 45.6% whiff rate to go with it. With multiple options to close out games, the Mets have built a bullpen with the intent to perform well in October.
Grade: A
OF Cedric Mullins: Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles, Mullins will ideally be the every day starter in centerfield for the New York Mets. While Mullins does struggle versus right handed pitchers, this year versus left handed pitching Mullins hits .298. According to Statcast, Mullins is also a 2 OAA defender as well.
Grade: B
The Mets were able to continue to build a bridge to their closers and address the need for a second left handed relief pitcher. In the 2025 MLB Playoffs, the Dodgers starting pitchers threw on average 3.2 innings due to their extensive bullpen, and it seems the Mets are building with that statistic in mind. Steve Cohen started off his tenure as owner of the New York Mets saying he wanted to build, “an east coast Dodgers.”, and it could be coming true right before our eyes.
Overall Mets Deadline Grade: A