Mets fire sale pending

As the New York Mets took the field Thursday night to kick off the second half of the MLB season, most of the players lined up for an extended audition for about 24 other clubs.

Mets president of baseball operations and general manager David Stearns remains prepared to purge the underperforming roster, sans Juan Soto, Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, AJ Ewing and Christian Scott, according to SNY.

With stars like third baseman Bo Bichette, shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Freddy Peralta being made available, Stearns could be cornering the pre-trade deadline market.

The SNY report indicated "no one has said (Lindor) is off the table."

The Mets (41-57), who earned a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, remain 15.5 games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

Only five clubs, three in the NL and two in the AL, exited the All-Star break at least 10 games out of the Wild Card race. The Mets trail by 11.5 games.

With so many contenders, sellers, like Stearns, are positioned to drive prices up.

Here's a look at the Mets' three biggest trade chips:

Bo Bichette

One of the league's biggest offseason acquisitions, Bichette slumped over the opening six weeks of the regular season and continues to develop into the scapegoat for the Mets' miseries. 

Through May 17, Bichette posted a .210 batting average with two home runs and 18 RBI. His offense rebounded over the past few months, but his brand remains soiled in New York.

His 51 RBI entering the second half could be enticing to several contenders. 

If Bichette is not traded before the Aug. 3 deadline, attention will turn to his $5 million opt-out clause. Will the two-time All-Star use it as the league enters what promises to be contentious collective bargaining negotiations this winter?

Bichette went 0-for-4 against the Phillies on Thursday.

Francisco Lindor

In his sixth season with the Mets, Lindor has battled health concerns, suffering a broken hamate and calf strain, and appeared in only 40 first-half games, slashing .216/.298/.373. 

The two-time Gold Glove winner's defensive effort has also been questioned.

Lindor's name may have been left off Stearns' initial untouchable list, but the 32-year-old's contract could prove challenging to unload. Following this season, the five-time All-Star's 10-year, $341 million deal will have five more seasons to play out.

SNY's Jim Duquette said: "I was checking in with a couple of teams, who are buyers. They were telling me in terms of Lindor, the market is very limited. One team said the contact is immovable."

Lindor went 0-for-4 Thursday.

Freddy Peralta 

Acquired during the offseason, Peralta has not performed up to his potential, posting a 4.66 ERA. Added to the rotation as a potential ace, the right-hander has not earned a win since June 14.

In five June starts, he compiled a 6.39 ERA. In his first three July starts, he yielded a combined 10 runs on 16 hits and did not work beyond the fifth inning. 

In 2024 and '25, the 30-year-old went 28-15 combined. He's next scheduled to pitch Monday against the host Milwaukee Brewers.

More MLB news:

• Is Orioles' cornerstone Adley Rutschman on MLB trade block?
• Angels' Mike Trout comes home, returns to MLB All-Star Game
• Mariners' Logan Gilbert suffering bittersweet season
• Dumbfounded: Spencer Torkelson's inconsistent production compounding Tigers' problems
• Brandon Lowe-led Pirates pace MLB in scoring at break, lag on All-Star Game recognition