After weeks of losses, Mets talk Padres without stars

The New York Mets and San Diego Padres are talking, but what stands out most is not who might move — it’s who clearly will not.

Despite widespread speculation this week that Francisco Lindor was involved in the discussions, The Athletic reported that people briefed on the conversations say the Mets’ shortstop has not been part of the talks. Neither has Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., effectively ruling out the kind of superstar swap that fueled much of the early chatter.

The Lindor rumors gained traction as the industry tried to read between the lines following the Mets’ roster reset and the growing fascination with clubhouse dynamics, including speculation about how Lindor might mesh alongside Juan Soto. That narrative, however, appears to have run well ahead of reality.

What’s actually unfolding may not quiet the fanbase unrest after two weeks in which they lost Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso. 

The Mets, fresh off a two-year, $40 million agreement with Jorge Polanco, are no longer operating in replacement mode after Pete Alonso’s departure. They are not pursuing Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth and are instead focused on depth upgrades, particularly pitching and bullpen help, that can support a roster still intent on competing.

"The Padres’ players in the talks include right-hander Nick Pivetta, outfielder Ramón Laureano and relievers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada. San Diego, in turn, is asking the Mets about their young major leaguers and all of their top prospects, both pitchers and position players," The Athletic reported. 

"The Padres, meanwhile, are attracted to the Mets’ young pitchers, three of whom — Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong — made their debuts last season. Of those, McLean is thought to be untouchable, or close to it. A less familiar pitcher on the 40-man roster, Jonathan Pintaro, also holds appeal to teams, according to people familiar with New York’s talks. And the Mets’ improved farm system also includes a number of highly regarded position players, starting with outfielder Carson Benge and infielder Jett Williams, who also could help the Padres rebalance their payroll," according to The Athletic. 

There is also the possibility that the Padres prefer to move pieces individually rather than as a package, which could influence several parallel markets. Preller is known for talking with nearly everyone during active trade periods, and the Mets appear to be part of a broader league-wide temperature check.

For now, the talks serve more as a market signal than a precursor to a blockbuster. The Mets are exploring how far they can push a competitive roster without sacrificing their pipeline, while the Padres continue searching for ways to rebalance without stepping back.