Let’s Make a Deal

By Eddie Castro
As we go to press, the Major League Baseball trading deadline is 6 PM tonight, and with no question, the Yankees and Mets are teams to watch as far as what moves they are able to make to upgrade their respective rosters.

Both teams have dealt with issues with their respective starting rotation and bullpen, so it should be a priority for both teams to explore what players make the best fit for a strong October playoff run.

The New York Mets just got a little healthier when it comes to their pitching rotation with the returns of Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. Although the rumors have been heating up more for them acquiring a Center Fielder, it will not be surprising for the team to add another arm.

Two names that have been linked to the Mets as far as starting pitching are Trevor Rogers (Orioles), Dylan Cease (Padres), and former National League CY Young winner Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.

As far as adding another outfielder, the Mets have been linked to names such as former top prospect Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox and Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles. Either of those two players could be an excellent fit for the Mets, who would like a lefty bat to pencil in the bottom half of the lineup, which has struggled most of the first half of the season.

Thus far, the Mets have made one move, a move they needed badly, adding former two-time All-Star relief pitcher Gregory Soto. Soto adds another left-handed pitcher for the Mets who only had one in their Bullpen. (Brooks Raley). Soto has been one of the most dependable relief pitchers in baseball, especially when being used in high-leverage situations.

As far as the Bronx Bombers go, the struggles continue with the offense. In fact, the team has a total of 15 wins in their last 38 games. This past week, all of New York baseball fans held their breath as Aaron Judge reported discomfort in his right elbow. In what felt like the world’s most anxious MRI, the results came back as an elbow flexor strain where many feared they’re could be structural damage to the UCL (Ulnar collateral ligament).

Judge, arguably the team’s best hitter, was put on the 10-day Disabled List. The team has made a few moves when it comes to defense, which has been dreadful the past two weeks, by adding former All-Star Ryan McMahon from Colorado and former Met top prospect Amed Rosario.

The Yankees were in need of a third baseman after inconsistent play by Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Rivas. Rosario is a right-handed bat who hits left-handed pitching really well. Aside from defense, pitching is a necessity for the time. Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are both out for the season with Tommy-John Surgery, and Luis Gil has yet to debut in 2025 as he works his way back from injury.

Starting pitchers Mitch Keller, David Bednar (Pirates), Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Danny Columbe, and Johan Duran (Twins). Despite the Yankees’ rotation being beat up all year, the team is still in the mix for a playoff berth. Aside from Judge, you can thank All-Star pitchers Max Fried and Carlos Rodon for that.

Gil is expected back sometime in August, but make no mistake about it, Kelly would be a great fit for the Yankees. He has pitched to a 3.33 ERA in 25 starts in 2025, ranked 7th in innings pitched (128 2/3) and tied for third in quality starts with 13. If the Yankees were to make the playoffs, the big stage on an October crisp fall night would not scare Kelly.

He had an ERA of 2.25 in four starts during the team’s 2023 World Series run. Duran or Coulombe would provide a strong high-end relief pitcher to go along with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams. Time is almost up to see if either of the New York teams can make a move that can help them make a strong playoff-contending team.

SPORTS Notes: Tune in to an All-New episode of Talk Sports with Eddie presented by Our Time Press tonight at 5 p.m. on the Our Time Press YouTube channel. We’ll discuss the trades the Yankees and Mets made at the deadline and whether the Jets and Giants are ready to take the next step in returning to the postseason.