The Mets' rotation is in disarray, with a 4.24 ERA and a 10% walk rate, ranking 19th in the majors. The struggles of Kodai Senga and David Peterson have been particularly notable, prompting the team to turn to Christian Scott for his first big league start since 2024's Tommy John surgery. Scott's performance was underwhelming, walking five batters and plunking a sixth before being lifted from the game in the second inning. The Mets are now considering their options, with Scott and Nolan McLean as the only two members of the rotation who can be optioned. The bullpen situation is also uncertain, with only Tobias Myers and Huascar Brazobán as viable options.
The Mets' lack of flexibility and the underperforming lineup have led to speculation about a potential trade. President of baseball operations David Stearns might explore the trade of a pitcher to bolster the offense, although trades of this nature are rare this early in the season. The Brewers' acquisition of Quinn Priester from the Red Sox last April and the Marlins' trade of Luis Arraez to the Padres in May serve as recent examples of such deals.
The Mets' current situation is challenging, with contracts for Manaea and Senga not likely to yield a significant hitter. The ideal scenario would be to have McLean and Freddy Peralta atop the rotation, but Peralta is not an early candidate for a trade. Clay Holmes' opt-out opportunity at the end of the season further diminishes his value. Speculatively, Peterson could be the most logical candidate for a trade, as he is a free agent at the end of the season and has had a tough run of starts.
The Mets' injury woes have also impacted their lineup. Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is on the injured list with a calf strain, and Ronny Mauricio is getting most of the reps at shortstop. Mauricio, a top-100 prospect, has a rare everyday opportunity with the Mets, having logged nearly 3900 professional innings at the position. The Mets' manager, Carlos Mendoza, has not provided a timetable for Lindor's return, leaving the team's future uncertain.
