Mets' Bullpen Priority Could Force Tough Porspect Decisions at Trade Deadline

Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña are all vying for playing time, but remain limited behind All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.

Beyond the external additions, the Mets are considering internally promoting top pitching prospects, including Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, or Blade Tidwell, to bullpen roles if necessary. President of baseball operations David Stearns has used this approach in Milwaukee.

"He broke in future top starters Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta as relievers for teams in playoff hunts. However, there is more risk in going such a route compared to acquiring a proven reliever," Sammon wrote.

The relief market remains fluid. Closers such as Pittsburgh's David Bednar are available, while names including Emmanuel Clase, Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran and Félix Bautista could also surface. However, those types of relievers come with massive acquisition costs, especially high-end prospects.

As for the rotation, Sammon notes that the Mets are unlikely to pursue mid-tier depth starters. With Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas holding spots. Any addition would need to be a clear frontline upgrade, a market that may not materialize.

Instead, the Mets' focus remains squarely on the bullpen. The Mets expect that to change in the coming days.