Why Mets are not likely to trade players under club control beyond 2026

The New York Mets are expected to be sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3 later this summer. One month away, and the possible trade chips on the Mets roster are taking shape.

Freddy Peralta is the biggest name that could be moved and is also likely to be dealt. He's a free agent after 2026, and trading him now would make sense for the Mets. There are a few others who could also be traded in the next month.

But, as Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic note, there is a large group of players, under club control beyond the 2026 season who are not likely to be traded this summer.

Mets unlikely to trade players under control beyond 2026 season

"While not ruling out anything at this point, the Mets will require very strong returns to move any players with team control beyond 2026," Britton and Sammon write.

This shouldn't come as a massive surprise, as the Mets don't view this team as a total failure, and they're still going to try to compete in 2027.

With Juan Soto, Nolan McLean, Francisco Lindor, and other key players under control for a while longer, that idea makes perfect sense.

But that does have a big impact on the trade deadline. If the Mets are not likely to trade some of these players under control beyond 2026, who could actually get dealt?

Peralta is the most likely player on the move, as he should bring back a decent return. Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter are both quality reliever options hitting free agency in a year.

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Tyrone Taylor is also a free agent after 2026, while Clay Holmes has a player option for $12.6 million; he might end up declining.

Bo Bichette has an opt-out, and while it's not likely the Mets trade the $42 million per-year infielder, he's someone worth keeping an eye on.

However, when it comes to players like Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Marcus Semien, and players like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, it will take a lot for the Mets to move them if a team's interested.

It's a straightforward plan for the Mets that makes perfect sense. If a player is a free agent after 2026, then they're more likely to be traded due to the team's asking price for players under control for 2027 and beyond being a lot more difficult to match.

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