Update reveals Mets' trade-deadline plans for Soto, Lindor, Bichette

While speaking with MLB insiders Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman on an edition of "The Show" podcast last week, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen suggested that neither fan-favorite shortstop Francisco Lindor nor star outfielder Juan Soto will be made available to advertised contenders ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

For an article published on Monday, MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY touched upon the short-term futures of Lindor and Soto.

"Highly unlikely" Mets make a big Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor move

"Cohen told the New York Post last week that he does not anticipate trading Soto or Lindor, and that he is happy to have two superstar players to build around," Janes said. "Toss in the money they’re making and the fact that they are two of the most productive players on an unproductive roster, and deals for either seem even more unlikely than a 2026 Mets turnaround – which is to say, highly unlikely, but it is always safest not to rule out anything completely."

Whether or not Soto and Lindor got along amid the club's collapse last season or are friends during New York's 37-53 2026 campaign could make for interesting sports-talk discussions over the next handful of months. That said, Lindor agreed to a 10-year contract extension worth up to $341M shortly before the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Soto signed his 15-year, $765M contract to join the Mets in December 2024. In short, the money attached to those deals would lead one to believe that the two players are staying put through at least this summer. 

Would Mets trade Bo Bichette before Aug. 3? 

Questions about the short- and long-term futures of Mets infielder Bo Bichette have hovered over the franchise since he got off to a slow start with the club this past spring. 

"People familiar with the Mets' thinking say they still do not have a sense of whether Bichette will opt out of his three-year, $142M deal after this year," Janes reported. "If he finishes strong, he will probably want to take advantage of a weak free agent hitters’ class. If he doesn’t, he will probably want to stay and prove he deserves a long-term deal. In either case, he is an asset on what might be an expiring contract, which means it is fair to ask whether the Mets will explore trading him. The answer seems to be somewhere between probably and definitely not, though the Mets seem willing to listen on just about anyone in case the market yields unexpected value. But with the money Bichette is making and the fact that he is a former American League batting champ who could remain under control for two more seasons, he is not the kind of player the Mets will feel needs to be moved urgently – particularly when they have not yet seen him at his best for an extended period." 

Bichette began Monday slashing .258/.304/.385 with a .689 OPS, 10 home runs and 50 RBI on the season. He is just 28 years old, and he could be part of a possible 2027 turnaround for the Mets if he stays put and if they are serious about trying "to contend next year." 

However, it sounds like Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns will at least be willing to discuss potential trades involving Bichette once the All-Star break comes and goes next week.