Friday, July 31, 2026 — three days until the August 3 Trade Deadline.
For most of July, the New York Mets were the deadline’s theoretical engine — a last-place club with the biggest payroll in baseball and a roster full of players contenders wanted. Theory became practice late Thursday night.
It Starts With Minter
The Mets sent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins for two prospects, the first domino in what is expected to be one of the most aggressive sell-offs of the year.
It won’t be the last. By Friday afternoon, Freddy Peralta had been scratched from his scheduled start against the Marlins — interim manager Andy Green explained that trade talks involving the right-hander had intensified. That is the clearest signal a club can send without issuing a press release.
The Very Short Untouchable List
New York is reportedly willing to discuss everyone on the roster except six players: Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and prospects Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott.
Lindor’s inclusion is itself a story with a footnote. Reports earlier this month indicated the Mets weren’t treating him as untouchable, which set off a week of speculation. A deal was never viewed as likely — he has five years left on his contract, a full no-trade clause, and hasn’t performed to his usual standard this year. The willingness to listen said more about the organization’s mood than about any realistic trade.
Who Actually Moves
Freddy Peralta — the headliner, and the most ironic piece on the board. The Mets acquired him from Milwaukee in January for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, two of their best prospects. He’s carrying a 4.99 ERA, but the market is healthy anyway: the Cubs, Rays, Braves and Phillies have all been connected. Teams still see the underlying stuff that made him an All-Star.
Brooks Raley — a pending free agent lefty with a sub-2.10 ERA. Certain to be moved.
Clay Holmes — potentially the biggest return of all. He hasn’t pitched since May 15 because of a fractured right fibula but is closing in on a return, and a long list of contenders scouted his most recent rehab outing. He can opt out of his contract this winter and isn’t engaged in extension talks with New York, which makes keeping him pointless.
Luke Weaver — the interesting case. He’s signed through 2027, so the Mets have no obligation to deal him. But in a market conspicuously light on impact relievers, Jeff Passan reports the interest is strong enough to justify a trade. The Brewers and Pirates are among the clubs pushing hardest.
Huascar Brazobán — controllable through 2029, which sounds valuable until you remember he’s 36. His trade value may never be higher than it is this weekend.
The Salary Problem
One name that illustrates how this roster was built: Luis Robert Jr.
Per Jon Heyman, the Mets are getting real interest in the center fielder. The complication is money — rival clubs suggest New York would have to eat some of the remaining salary to get a deal done. The Mets still owe him more than $8 million, including the $2 million buyout on his $20 million club option for 2027.
That is the recurring theme of this deadline for David Stearns. Nearly every player New York wants to move comes attached to a contract the acquiring team would rather not fully absorb, and the return improves in direct proportion to how much cash ownership is willing to send along with him.
What It All Means
Two weeks ago, the Mets opened the second half in Philadelphia at 40-57, watching a division rival they were supposed to beat run away with the National League East. Since then, nothing has changed except the calendar.
The goal now is restocking a farm system that was drained to build a roster that didn’t work. Peralta cost two top prospects in January. Getting one back in August wouldn’t undo the trade, but it would be a start.
Three days left, and Queens has more sellers’ inventory than anyone. Expect the phone to keep ringing.
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