Here's the latest Metsnews and buzz ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline…
July 29, 11:45 p.m.
The Mets are going to be buyers during this deadline but they could also sell some pieces.
According to The Athletic's Tim Britton and Will Sammon, the Mets are actively shopping starting pitcher Paul Blackburn.
It's not expected that the Mets would get a big return for Blackburn, but with a logjam in the starting rotation — which consists of Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, David Peterson and Clay Holmes — New York could sell from a position of strength to a team looking for a backend starter.
Blackburn has appeared in just six games (four starts) this season thanks to a number of injuries. He's pitched to a 7.71 ERA but has pitched well in Triple-A as he continues his rehab assignment from a right shoulder impingement. Blackburn is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in six starts with Syracuse this season.
July 29, 11:30 a.m.
With time growing short before the deadline for transactions slams shut, the race to find bullpen arms grows more intense.
One target is Cardinals right-hander Ryan Helsley, who is drawing interest from at least a half-dozen clubs, including the Mets and Yankees, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Helsley has pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 1.389 WHIP over 36 innings and 36 appearances on the season as St. Louis' closer. He has tallied 21 saves on 26 opportunities with 41 strikeouts to 14 walks. A two-time All-Star, he earned his second selection during the 2024 campaign that saw him pitch to a 2.04 ERA and 1.101 WHIP in 66.1 innings over 65 games with 49 saves (tops in MLB) with 79 strikeouts to 23 walks.
Helsley, who just turned 31 earlier this month, is a free agent after the 2025 season.
In addition to the two New York teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays were mentioned by Feinsand.
July 25, 12:30 p.m.
With less than a week to the trade deadline, teams have been asking the Mets about Starling Marte, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
It'll be interesting to see if they actually make the veteran available in the coming days.
Marte seemed like a logical trade candidate when he was struggling earlier this season, but he has turned things around and has served as a solid DH option and bat off the bench.
He did miss some time with a knee injury earlier this month, but is hitting a strong .322 with eight extra base-hits and a .814 OPS since the beginning of May.
July 23, 1:10 p.m.
As the Mets look to upgrade their rotation ahead of the deadline, they are reportedly among the teams that have spoken with the San Diego Padres about right-hander Dylan Cease, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
As noted by Olney, the Padres are intent on making a playoff push, but they would look to use the impending free agent Cease to help fill out other needs on their roster.
AL East teams and the Chicago Cubs have also spoken with the Padres about him.
Cease has been one of the more reliable arms in the game over the past few seasons, but he put together an extremely disappointing first half of the season.
The 29-year-old has pitched to a 4.64 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while striking out 139 batters over 20 outings.
July 5, 3:06 p.m.
The Mets will certainly be in the market for starting pitching ahead of the trade deadline.
One arm they are showing interest in is Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Keller would likely cost a pretty penny in a potential deal, as he is under contract through 2028.
The 29-year-old former second-round pick has been spectacular for Pittsburgh this season, pitching to a 3.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across a league-leading 21 starts.
While his strikeouts are down, he has been one of the more consistent arms in baseball this year — recording a quality start in 15 of those appearances, which is also tied for a league-high.
Adding a reliable inning-eater like Keller would be a huge boost for this Mets rotation, which has struggled to work deep into games this year.
