Jason Burgos
Things are starting to get desperate in Queens, NY, as the New York Mets haven’t come anywhere close to breaking a month-long slump. While their pitching has been flawed, the batting order that makes up the bulk of the cost for their near-$400 million roster has been shockingly bad.
It has put serious heat on manager Carlos Mendoza and President David Stearns. However, neither is going anywhere just yet. So, tinkering with the roster to break the slump continues to be the priority, and that could include a trade soon. According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, “the Mets have already reached out to teams, searching for offensive help.”
The report added that all of their starters are up for grabs, except Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean, and Freddy Peralta. The positions they probably will target in a deal are a corner outfielder, a first baseman, or a designated hitter.
If the Mets do make a trade soon, let’s look at six low-cost or risky players New York could be targeting.
Christian Walker, Houston Astros
After a down season in 2025, 35-year-old Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker has had a very strong start to the season. He has a .293/.366/.552/.918 and already has seven homers after a month and a half of the season. He and Yordan Alvarez have been among the few good things for the 12-20 Astros.
If Houston decides to start selling off pieces early, Walker should be available and could fetch the ‘Stros some solid young players in return.
Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox
There were rumors throughout the winter that the Boston Red Sox could trade one-time All-Star Jarren Duran. They should have pulled the trigger when interest was higher because he is hitting an abysmal .170 after 26 games.
The Mets should consider a trade in the hopes that a change of scenery could be good for Duran. Would trading a badly slumping one-time All-Star for David Peterson, another badly slumping All-Star from 2025, interest both teams? Maybe.
Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox
One-time All-Star Andrew Benintendi has always been a rock-solid player. While he is hitting just .211 this year, he just hit 20 homers apiece in the previous two seasons. He brings some pop, respectable speed on the base pads, and would be a replacement option for struggling top prospect Carson Benge or as a DH.
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
If Mets management still believed this is a playoff team in 2026, they could double down with a major move, and that might be Yordan Alvarez. The three-time All-Star is the hottest hitter on the planet right now as he begins May with an absurd .356/.462/.737/1.199 slash line.
Getting him would mean the Astros giving up on the season early and breaking down the roster. Plus, he would also come at a high cost since the 28-year-old is still under contract for two more seasons. If the Mets really want hitting and are willing to pay the cost, the DH and corner outfielder would make an immediate impact.
Luis Arraez, San Francisco Giants
If the Mets wanted someone who could just get on base with consistency, and for cheap, they could call the San Francisco Giants about Luis Arraez, because (surprise, surprise) the three-time batting champ is hitting .305 to begin the season.
Arraez would be an option at DH, and the Giants might be open to a return of Brett Baty or Mark Vientos in a deal. Another plus in a trade is that Arraez is on a one-year deal.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
As mentioned before, we are in desperate times, and it isn’t impossible that owner Steve Cohen doubles down and goes real big to save the season. That is why Mike Trout could be considered. Is it likely? Not really. But for the first time in three years, the future Hall-of-Famer looks like his old self (10 homers and 21 RBIs in 31 games).
This is as tradable as he has been in a long time because of the $148 million he is still owed after this year. To get out from under that deal, would the Angels be open to a trade package with the expiring or short-term contracts of Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco, along with David Peterson and a top Mets 50 prospect? It isn’t impossible.
