How long will the New York Mets’ pitching staff continue to throw the baseball at the level it has to start the season?
The Mets’ pitching staff has been the best in baseball, posting a 2.45 ERA.
The second-ranked San Diego Padres have a 2.80 ERA, showing just how dominant the Mets have been on that front.
However, the names in the Mets staff aren’t exactly elite, and there’s likely some regression coming if things go as many expected it to entering the season.
If that ends up being the case, the Mets will need an arm at the deadline, and there could be one available in the form of Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros, according to David Schoenfield of ESPN.
“The Astros traded Kyle Tucker in his walk year but kept Valdez, believing the rotation could carry them to a ninth consecutive playoff trip and eighth division title in that span. With Ronel Blanco scuffling and Spencer Arrighetti sidelined by a broken thumb, the offense will now have to carry more of the load. Let’s see if it can do it. Certainly, Valdez would be an attractive trade ask and fits the prototypical deadline trade: a rental starter who can lead a playoff rotation. Think Jack Flaherty last season or Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery in 2023 — pitchers who helped lead their teams to World Series titles,” he wrote.
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It’s somewhat surprising that the Astros have found as much success as they have over the past few years, given they allow most of their players to walk in free agency and aren’t willing to spend, evident most recently by Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.
Valdez could be the next in line to deal with a similar issue, as he’s set to hit free agency in 2026. If the Astros know they’re going to lose him, the Mets would be an ideal landing spot.
His numbers are a bit down to start the year, posting a 4.50 ERA, but he’s a career 3.34 ERA arm and should figure it out soon.
