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Mets were reportedly in on this starting pitcher ahead of deadline

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated Aug 1, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The New York Mets were able to cross off several items on their to-do list ahead of MLB's trade deadline.

In need of some outfield help in their lineup, the team acquired center fielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for three relief pitching prospects, only one of whom was ranked inside the organization’s top 30. On the mound, the Mets took advantage of other teams seeking out controllable relief pitchers by trading for bullpen arms who are on expiring deals (Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers, and Ryan Helsley).

The trio of Soto, Rogers, and Helsley, combined with closer Edwin Diaz, give New York the deepest and most talented bullpen in the National League. The only team to assemble similar star-studded depth in the bullpen is their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, who added David Bednar, Jake Bird, and Camilo Doval.

It is a good thing that the bullpen was improved so much because the Mets did miss out on upgrading one area of their team: the starting rotation. But it certainly wasn't from a lack of effort.

ESPN's Buster Olney shared that the Mets were in on veteran Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly, a rental starter who expressed his desire to finish his career in Arizona, was traded to the Texas Rangers for three pitching prospects: LHP Drake Kohl, LHP Mitch Bratt, and RHP David Hagaman.

The Mets were in on Merrill Kelly, per @Buster_ESPN.
— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) July 31, 2025

All of these prospects were ranked inside Texas’s Top 15 at No. 5, 9, and 13, respectively, as the Rangers paid a steep price. If Kelly, who has been one of the more consistent pitchers in baseball the last few years, was that costly to acquire, it is no wonder David Stearns and the New York front office decided to take the approach that they did.

Couple of scouts Wednesday night mentioned Merrill Kelly as great makeup guy and good target for Mets, but Rangers gave up a package of young pitching for him the Mets weren't going to match, if talks ever got that far. https://t.co/FWzqw1OyIo
— John Harper (@NYNJHarper) August 1, 2025

Despite all of their wheeling and dealing, the Mets parted ways with only two of their top 10 prospects (Jesus Baez and Blade Tidwell), dealing from the depth they have developed over the last few years to bolster the major league club.

The effort was there to acquire starting pitching help, but the price was too steep for the team’s liking with too many risks and not enough reward attached.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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