Report sheds light on Mets' trade-deadline plans after Steve Cohen comments

While speaking with MLB insiders Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman on the latest edition of "The Show" podcast, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen insisted that he is "not afraid" to sell certain talents ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. 

Cohen also admitted that he is "extremely worried" about the state of the Mets' farm system. For a piece published on Friday, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic touched upon the Mets' trade-deadline priorities following Cohen's comments. 

Mets won't target any one need amid potential fire sale

"In the likely event the Mets do end up selling, expect them to target the best minor-league prospects they can land — regardless of position or proximity to the major leagues," Britton and Sammon said. "This may sound obvious, but it’s not unusual at the deadline for teams to prioritize, say, pitchers over bats, near-ready players over ones that fit a longer-term timeline. The Mets would aim to accumulate as much talent as possible without caring as much about fit."

Part of that process seemingly will not involve the Mets making either shortstop Francisco Lindor or outfielder Juan Soto available to contenders. That said, once-advertised ace Freddy Peralta should probably already have his bags packed. Peralta is on track to reach free agency after the season and won't be receiving an extension this month. 

Why Steve Cohen may not sign off on a full fire sale

Meanwhile, MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY shared on Thursday that relief pitcher Brooks Raley, lefty A.J. Minter and starting pitcher Clay Holmes are Mets players who are "very likely to go" before the trade deadline arrives. Janes also mentioned that "the Mets are a team that intends to contend next year." 

Britton and Sammon seemed to confirm that second point. 

"New York is not contemplating any kind of rebuild or even the kind of retrenchment they embraced the last time they sold in 2023," Britton and Sammon added. "While not ruling out anything at this point, the Mets will require very strong returns to move any players with team control beyond 2026. Further, the Mets would be open to adding major-league talent at the deadline, though not in the type of 'need-for-need' trades they explored last offseason (such as the deal that sent Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien). If a major-leaguer with additional team control who fits a longer-term need is available at the deadline, the Mets would look into it regardless of their chances of contending in 2026." 

In short, it sounds like Cohen understands the 36-51 Mets are going to have to limp through the rest of what will go down as a disappointing season for the organization. However, Cohen also isn't ready to punt on the 2027 campaign (if one happens) this summer.