After falling just two games short of a trip to their fifth World Series in franchise history in 2024, then following it up by signing generational slugger Juan Soto to a record, $765 million, 15-year free agent contractâ and amassing the second-largest payroll in MLB â the New York Mets attacked the 2025 season as a frontrunner to get to the World Series this time, and even win it.
But things didn’t quite work out that way. Blowing a 5 1/2 game lead in the National League East as late as June 12, the $342 million team collapsed to the point where they missed the playoffs completely, winning just 28 of 65 games after the All-Star break to end up with just 83 wins, 13 games off the pace set by the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies.
Where do the Mets go from there? Clearly, some serious changes are needed to the roster. The Mets have already lost their all-time home run king, Pete Alonso, to free agency â unless they are somehow able to re-sign him â and they cast off their longest-tenured player in outfielder Brandon Nimmo, dealing the 10-year veteran to the Texas Rangers for defensive-minded second baseman Marcus Semien.
Wild 3-Team Trade Brings Arenado to New York
Now, an MLB analyst writing for MLB.com has come up with a new trade proposal that would shake up the Mets core, while also helping the American League Championship Series runners-up, the Seattle Mariners, in a wild, three-team trade that also ropes in the St. Louis Cardinals.
The blockbuster deal put forth by MLB.com scribe Anthony Castrovince would relieve the rebuilding Cardinals of the $31 million they would owe, over the next two seasons, to eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. In the deal, Arenado goes to the Mets where he would serve as an immediate upgrade both at bat and in the field over the duo of Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, who split hot-corner duties at Citi Field this year.
Though Arenado suffered a season-long slump in 2025, the Mets would be banking on a return to something closer to his career .846 OPS performance at the plate.
Unique Pitching Prospect Also Part of Deal
The Mets would surrender no more than their No. 30 prospect, righty pitcher Camden Lohman, in the deal, because the core of the trade is Cardinals super-utility player Brendan Donovan, who goes to the Mariners. The Mariners, in turn, send their No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, 21-year-old outfielder Lazaro Montes.
For absorbing Arenado’s contract, the Mets also get a bonus â Mariners’ 2024 first-round draft pick out of Mississippi, Jurrangelo Cijntje, a 22-year-old pitcher who grew up in Curaçao â home of future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen and Boston Red Sox Gold Glove center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela â and who has one unique characteristic that sets him apart from any other pitching prospect.
He throws with either hand â a true switch-pitcher.
Switch Pitching More Than Gimmick
But his ambidextrous ability is more than a gimmick. After just one minor league season that saw the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder advance quickly to the Double-A level, Cijntje rose to become the No. 8 prospect in the Marinersâ system.
As a right-hander, the prospect reaches 98 mph with his fastball, per an MLB Pipeline scouting report, with a 90 mph slider as well as a changeup.
Pitching southpaw, âheâs more reliever-ish, using a lower slot to get outs with a sweeping low-80s breaker and a low-90s fastball,â the Pipeline scouting report states.
In his brief minor league career, the Mariners have used Cijntje as a right-handed starter on Saturdays, with a relief appearance each Wednesday, pitching from the left side.
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