The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching for all 30 teams. This means one of the best chances to improve a team’s roster is depleting. For the New York Mets, it is potentially one of the only main ways to improve their roster.
There are many sellers at this point of the season, and they might look to get something big or extensive in return for some of their young stars. The Mets are going to be looking at several positions, but the bullpen is an area where health and efficiency are among the most needed. One team that could be helping the Mets in this area is the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates are in the position to trade everyone except their star pitcher, Paul Skenes. He is a player who brings some hope to the Pirates in the future, but currently, the Pirates can afford to be bad for a favorable draft position. This leaves their talented right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller available.
Would Keller Benefit the Mets?
Keller is having one of his better seasons in his entire seven-year career, 18 games in. He has accounted for a season ERA of 3.64, which is the second-best in his career. Keller has allowed 101 hits and 47 runs, with seven of them being home runs, along with 26 walks. Keller also delivered 84 strikeouts. He is having a productive season but has a 3-10 record.
Most of all, the New York Mets could use some serious help in the bullpen with five key injuries. Their star pitcher Kodai Senga is on the 15-day injured list with a hamstring injury. He is playing Double-A ball to get himself back to his prime, healthy form. Sean Manaea, on the other hand, is on the verge of returning next weekend right before the All-Star Break. Still, the Mets likely prefer not to overuse the arms of their stars. There are also injuries at the relief pitcher position.
The trade makes the Mets instantly better if Keller were to step on the mound for them by the time the deadline is over. The Mets are in a win-now situation, which warrants a serious look into a trade.
The Drawbacks
While there are some benefits for the World Series-minded New York Mets to trade for Keller, there are also cautions that the team will need to be wary of. He is in the second year of a five-year; $77 million deal. While money isn’t much of an issue for the Mets, it is considered that he would have three more seasons after this year.
In terms of some of the most available pitchers by the trade deadline, Keller is good, but not elite. Keller has accumulated an overall record of 39-60 in 151 games, all with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the Pirates haven’t been an ideal place for Keller to thrive, he hasn’t taken opportunities to grow into an elite pitcher outside of the 2023 All-Star season.
For the Mets to trade for Keller, it wouldn’t be cheap for the Pirates to relieve one of their more reliable pitchers. The point of Pittsburgh selling at the trade deadline is to build for the future. This trade would have to require multiple players, including highly talented prospects. Among the star prospects the Mets might have to consider giving up in the trade for Kellers is either right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong or right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean.
Pros and Cons of Mets Targeting Pirates Pitcher Mitch Keller