Five Trade Scenarios That Fit the Mets’ Needs
The offseason has reached the familiar stage where speculation ramps up and hypothetical moves dominate the daily conversation many of which never come to fruition. For the New York Mets, that pattern has held true, with the team frequently described as “monitoring” or “showing interest” in nearly every marquee name available. While free agency draws most of the attention, the trade market offers another path for meaningful upgrades.
To this point, the Mets have already completed two notable deals, sending Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers in exchange for Marcus Semien and moving Jeff McNeil to the Athletics for a 17-year-old pitching prospect. With several weeks still remaining before the season gets fully underway, president of baseball operations David Stearns has ample time to continue exploring opportunities. With that in mind, here are five trades that appear logical for the Mets to consider.
1. Freddy Peralta Milwaukee Brewers
It’s no secret that the Mets are in search of a true frontline starter. Throughout the offseason, New York has been connected to elite pitching talent through both free agency and trade talks, and Brewers ace Freddy Peralta fits that mold perfectly. His previous relationship with David Stearns during their time in Milwaukee only strengthens the connection.
Milwaukee has a track record of dealing pitchers as they near contract milestones, especially when they have an abundance of young arms in the pipeline. Peralta is coming off a standout 2025 campaign, finishing fifth in National League Cy Young voting after posting a 2.70 ERA with 204 strikeouts in 176 innings. His contract is also team-friendly, as he is set to earn $8 million in 2026 before hitting free agency.
For the Mets, Peralta would bring something they sorely lacked last season: reliability. Injuries ravaged the rotation in 2025, forcing the team to rush prospects and lean heavily on bullpen games. Peralta has logged 30-plus starts and over 165 innings in each of the last three seasons, offering stability and the potential to anchor the rotation long term if extended.
2. Luis Robert Jr. Chicago White Sox
Mets fans may need to prepare for the possibility that Luis Robert Jr. resurfaces as a serious trade target. The two sides engaged in discussions at the trade deadline, but New York ultimately balked at Chicago’s steep demands. At the time, the White Sox were seeking players such as Mark Vientos along with high-end prospects like Jack Wenninger or Nick Morabito an asking price that now may be more flexible.
The Mets have since signaled a willingness to move Vientos, which could help restart negotiations. They also have position-player depth with Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña, neither of whom has a guaranteed everyday role. Robert, meanwhile, appears in need of a fresh start after two injury-plagued seasons that saw him miss significant time. In 2025, he hit .223 with 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, and a .633 OPS.
Despite his recent struggles, Robert still offers upside. A return to his 2023 All-Star form would give the Mets a premium defender with speed, power potential, and a solution to a clear outfield need.
3. Adrian Morejon San Diego Padres
The bullpen has been one of the Mets’ main areas of improvement this winter. After losing Edwin Díaz, the club addressed the back end by signing former Yankees relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Even so, there are still gaps to fill, particularly from the left side.
Around the same time the Mets signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year deal, they were reportedly linked to trade discussions with the Padres involving several players, including Adrian Morejon. The 26-year-old left-hander would represent a major upgrade, giving New York another dependable southpaw option. In 2025, Morejon excelled, posting a 2.08 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP across 75 appearances.
An added benefit is contract control. Morejon won’t reach free agency until after the 2027 season, giving the Mets multiple years to benefit from his production and the opportunity to explore an extension.
4. Lars Nootbaar St. Louis Cardinals
Another potential outfield solution comes in the form of Lars Nootbaar. While he has yet to fully establish consistency, the 28-year-old could still provide value. St. Louis has been active this offseason, moving veteran pieces such as Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray to Boston and making Nolan Arenado available in trade talks.
Nootbaar offers versatility, strong plate discipline, and a solid hard-hit profile, along with the ability to play all three outfield spots. In 2025, he appeared in a career-high 135 games, hitting .234 with 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .325 on-base percentage. While not a star-level addition, he would strengthen the Mets’ depth and represent a clear upgrade over their current reserve outfield options.
5. Edward Cabrera Miami Marlins
One of the most recent rumors ties the Mets to Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera. New York showed interest at the trade deadline, but talks stalled and Miami opted to keep him. Now 27, Cabrera remains an appealing target, especially with three years of team control remaining and a manageable $3.7 million salary in 2026.
Cabrera is a high-upside arm with a power fastball and a devastating changeup. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, finishing with a 3.53 ERA and a career-high 150 strikeouts over 137.2 innings. However, his value is balanced by risk, as he dealt with an elbow injury that season.
While Miami’s asking price is expected to be significant due to Cabrera’s control years, acquiring him would give the Mets a pitcher with the potential to develop into a top-of-the-rotation presence if health cooperates.
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