Jason Burgos
A new report offers up details on when the New York Mets will decide if they are buyers or sellers before this year’s MLB trade deadline. As well as where the club needs to be in the standings to seriously consider being buyers in 2026.
This has been an extremely frustrating season for devoted Mets fans. Despite one of the most expensive payrolls in baseball after team president David Stearns remodeled the roster in the offseason, they head into their game on Tuesday with a 26-34 record.
They have dealt with major injuries to several key players, including Francisco Lindor and Clay Holmes. But the Mets have also gotten some underwhelming years from high-paid talent like Bo Bichette. Despite another great season from Juan Soto, the team is dead last in the National League East standings. That is why it’s not a surprise that many wonder if they will be sellers before the August trade deadline.
But when will management decide to do that? The Athletic’s Mets reporter, Tim Britton, offered up some insight on when that should be. With this year’s trade deadline on Aug. 3, he predicts by July 27 — or a week before the deadline — Stearns will make a firm buy or sell decision.
How do the NY Mets become buyers before Aug. 3?
Obviously, Mets fans are hoping that in the next 40-plus games, the roster can finally show its potential by getting back into contention for a Wild Card spot, and give Stearns reason to add to the roster. So what does the team need to do to force his hand and be buyers before Aug. 3?
Britton believes they must “at least” have a record of 27-19 over the next 46 games. That would give them a 52-54 record when it’s time for Stearns to decide whether to buy or sell.
“Anything less than that, and they’re almost certain to be sellers,” Britton writes.
However, there is one major problem with reaching that record goal. The Mets’ schedule over the next few months is tough. Britton notes that only nine of the next 46 are against teams under .500 right now. And one of those series is against the defending American League champions Toronto Blue Jays. A team that could easily catch fire in the months ahead after a slow start.
So if the Mets are going to become buyers later this season, they will need to win a lot of games, and against good teams. Those chances aren’t looking great.
