Who will Mets deal by MLB trade deadline? 7 storylines to watch now

The Mets had three days to escape the purgatory that has been their 2026 season.

The first half came to a calamitous finish on Sunday when the Mets gave up a two-run lead in the ninth inning and went on to drop a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox in 10 innings.

The Mets enter the season's stretch run at 17 games under .500, with their once-lofty hopes all but washed away by severe underperformance for a second straight season.

There is not much hope when the Mets open their second half against the rival Phillies on Thursday night at Citi Field, but there is a level of intrigue within the team's ranks over the season's final 65 games.

Here are the seven most compelling storylines for the Mets over the final two and a half months of 2026:

Who will Mets deal by Aug. 3 trade deadline?

Major League Baseball's upcoming trade deadline appears to be a seller's market. There are 23 teams in contention for a playoff spot, with 11 clubs on the outside in the American and National League within four games of a postseason spot.

That leaves the Mets in somewhat of a position of power as they look to retool for the future. Many of those teams could be clamoring for pitching, and the Mets have that in spades, particularly in the bullpen.

Among the expiring deals that are the likeliest to move, left-handers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter both have ERAs of 2.04 or better. In the rotation, teams could choose to take a flyer on the track record of Freddy Peralta, despite his struggles to a 5-8 record and 4.66 ERA.

A few other players, like Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver, could be harder to deal, given their success this season, plus the presence of an additional year of team control. But they could also net the biggest return.

Can Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing keep progressing?

At least the future appears bright in the Mets outfield, led by the promise shown by Benge and Ewing in the first half.

Since stumbling out of the gate in his first month in the major leagues, Benge is slashing .289/.353/.445 with nine home runs, 31 RBI and 43 runs since the calendar turned to May. And now, he figures to be in a high run-producing spot in the lineup after driving in 37 runs. He could flirt with a 20-20 season, with 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases at the break.

Ewing is now settling into the leadoff spot against right-handers while bargaining for everyday reps with his recent success against southpaws. The 21-year-old has been unflappable in his first major league action, producing a .276/.350/.439 slash line with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 27 runs and nine strikeouts in 57 games.

While Luis Robert Jr. might be nearing a return from herniated disc in his back, his injury showcased what the rookie duo has to offer. It seems unlikely that their workload will be cut into much even after Robert's reemergence.

Who fills the last spots in Mets' starting rotation?

It has seemed that the Mets have had a void in their starting rotation since Holmes suffered a fractured fibula in mid-May and after the underperformance of David Peterson, who was eventually traded, and Kodai Senga.

The Mets have used a variety of different means to fill that spot, from openers to prospects. Now, do they finally have an answer in 24-year-old left-hander Zach Thornton?

The former fifth-round pick has earned a longer stay in the Mets' rotation with back-to-back quality starts against the Phillies and Red Sox. In those two outings, Thornton has allowed a combined one earned run in 13 innings while working around seven hits, three walks and striking out 12.

If the Mets can find a formidable arm in that spot, it would take some of the strain off the club's bullpen. There could end up being additional holes to fill following the deadline, and Jonah Tong and Jack Wenninger could be looming for opportunities down the stretch this season.

Does Bo Bichette give himself an offseason decision?

When Bichette signed with the Mets in the offseason, he gave himself optionality for 2027 and 2028, but his play will dictate whether it is worth it to depart. Bichette has $42 million player options available in each of the next two seasons, but that currently sits as the fourth-largest average annual value of any player in MLB.

Bichette stumbled out of the gate in his first season with the Mets, slashing .219/.275/.308 with five home runs, 28 RBI and 28 runs through May. Since June, Bichette has looked more like the player who the Mets shelled out big bucks to land, hitting .315/.342/.490 with five home runs, 23 RBI and 20 runs in 37 games.

Which form of Bichette will the Mets over the final two months and a half?

Who is next Mets prospect to get extended shot in big leagues?

Andy Green has admitted that the Mets' farm system has lost some of its firepower following the graduation of Ewing and Benge from prospect status, but that could also change within three weeks time.

As the Mets seem poised to sell, the voids on the roster will have to be filled and opportunities could open up for the next class of young talent.

The two logical answers are first baseman Ryan Clifford and Wenninger, but both have had their hiccups in Triple A.

Clifford has belted 16 home runs with 47 RBI, but the 22-year-old is batting .196 with 129 strikeouts in 86 games. Wenninger has a 3.50 ERA in 17 appearances, including 77 strikeouts in 79⅔ innings, but he's issuing 4.97 walks per nine innings.

It could come in the relief corps too, but Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert have also had their fair share of inconsistencies.

How does Juan Soto finish his 2026 season?

Soto earned the Mets' lone All-Star selection this season, and he came through with one of the National League's three hits in a loss in Philadelphia.

Through the first half of 2026, Soto continued to be one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in MLB. His current .290 batting average would be his highest mark since 2021 when he was a member of the Padres and his current .967 OPS is second in the NL.

Despite a two-week stint on the injured list with a calf strain, Soto remains on pace to tag 38 home runs, drive in 93 runs and score 81 runs based on his production per game. In a season that has all but slipped away, Soto's excellence remains something to behold.

Can Kodai Senga carve out a bullpen role?

The Mets still owe Senga $15 million for the 2027 season, so it is in their best interest to find a spot for him to thrive.

After posting an 0-6 record with a 10.08 ERA in seven appearances as a starting pitcher, Senga has had a little bit somewhat better luck in the bullpen.

Last time out, Senga tossed a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout against the Red Sox. But before that, he gave up four earned runs on five hits and four walks across three innings against the Royals. In his bullpen debut, he held the Braves to one run on a home run in 2⅔ innings.

It has been a mixed bag, but Senga might have the arsenal to be a more effective force in a condensed role as a reliever.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Who will Mets deal by MLB trade deadline? 7 storylines to watch now