Jeff Passan Drops MASSIVE Report On Mets' Future...

Jeff Bastin drops a massive report on the Mets' future. The MLB Insider released an article featuring the top move for each of the MLB ball clubs contending for the postseason, and three Amazons found their way onto the list. Moreover, a fellow reporter broke recent news about a deal David Stearns began lining up, but got beat out and failed, so that's the latest only here on Mets Digest. I'm your host today, Mike Duda, stoked to dive in, but first, I want to thank each and every single one of the over 7,500 subscribers that we have on the channel. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to hit that free subscribe button, and if you're part of the 68% of viewers who has not yet done so, please consider on the road to 8,000 subscribers. It's free and it's worth your while. We got videos coming out each and every single day between myself and Josh Byrne, sometimes two, three, and even four videos in a given day. Thank you so much in advance, and let's dive in with a list from passing the MLB Insider about the best fits for current Mets players who are either likely to be traded and or have significant trade values and where their best fits would be. Kicking things off with Freddy Peralta, an offseason acquisition who has not panned out in his time in Flushing. However, he would be a best fit for the interdivision rival Atlanta Braves, which is a very interesting note, and the ties don't stop there. Clay Holmes' best fit would be the former home of President of Baseball Operations slash GM David Stearns in Milwaukee with the Brewers. And finally, not only is Luke Weaver a best fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he's actually a dream match over there. So, we're going to dive into each and every single one of these players. Look over their stats, their contracts, and if I want them dealt or not, the only guy on this list that I actually want traded is Freddy Peralta, unless the package for Holmes or Weaver is significant. So, based on that, we are also going to dive into the prospect pipeline of both the Braves, Brewers, and Pirates. That way, we can see if there's anybody that would be of significant value that I personally would want to let go of Holmes or Weaver for. And at the end of the video, we are going to compare that to mock trades that I'm currently seeing on Twitter. So, keep these prospects in mind. But first, we're going to kick things off with the narrative on Clay Holmes, who yes, is injured, but is still the best match for the Brewers. The Brewers, they're the Dodgers just without the dollars. Their player development system hums like it was German engineered. Their big league club is deep, well-rounded, and it knows how to win. The Brewers are good enough that if they wanted to, they can deal away big leaguers and not be much worse for the wear. Meaning, they can get rid of some of their MLB talent, but their prospects are so good and practically MLB ready, that it really wouldn't matter because David Stearns walked so Matt Arnold could run. Limitations, mind you, are real, even if they are self-imposed. And the Brewers face the sort of conundrum that it's vexed small market, low revenue teams for generations now. One big question, when do you abandon the careful process-oriented planning that bred success and act like a big market franchise, pushing all of your chips into pieces that you want to get to win now, win the World Series this year, knowing you probably can't re-sign them after this season? Milwaukee did it almost 20 years ago, acquiring C.C. Sabathia, so is now finally the time again, nearly two decades later? If so, Holmes, returning from a broken right leg, would be more than they did last deadline when their acquisitions were a reliever who threw just 9 2 3rds innings before getting hurt, a backup catcher, and a reserve outfielder. Joe Ryan, though, their dream matchup would offer the sort of rotation stability they could use with both Brandon Woodruff and Logan Henderson hurt. With Arnold's win now dictate, it's increasingly unlikely, but if beginning the NLCS at Dodger Stadium is the Brewers' fate, a Jacob Mizrowski-Joe Ryan pairing for games 1 and 2 is as good as a team could get, and let's be honest, we all know that that is pure cinema. Now, the Brewers did make a recent deal, they just acquired Lance McCullers from the Astros, but I personally don't think this is throwing anything off. I still think they'd be in the market for Holmes, and since this is a Mets Digest video, let's dive into the Brewers' prospect pipeline, that way we can see possible return packages. So, we'll turn to Bleacher Report. They, after the MLB draft, released an article ranking all the prospect pipelines, all the minor league systems 1 through 30. The Mets came in at number 28, but the Brewers came in at 5th, highlighted by the number one prospect in all of baseball, shortstop Jesus Maid. They also have the 18th guy in infielder Luis Pena, and actually, their 6 top prospects are all top 100 according to MLB.com, including number 3, shortstop Cooper Pratt, who is 54th, outfielder Luis Flora, who is 65th, the former Met himself, Jett Williams, 3rd baseman slash shortstop slash outfielder at 79, and outfielder Josh Adamlensky at 92. Now, I don't think that the Mets, especially having just given up on Williams for Freddy Peralta, I highly doubt that they are going to want to get him back, so I'm going to take him off the list, and I also don't think for just Klay Holmes, the Mets are either getting Maid or Pena, so I'm also crossing them off the list. I do think there's a realistic world based on the fact that multiple of these guys are shortstops and or outfielders. I think the Mets might end up getting a guy like Pratt or Lora. Keep in mind, Pratt is right behind Maid at the exact same position, so the Brewers would have to shift him if they didn't want to deal him now for a guy like Holmes, who I think has pitched good enough, as we'll dive into in a second, to get that kind of return package. I also see a world where the Mets get Lora, but if they have to quote-unquote settle in my opinion, Pratt and Weske, I think I'm fine with that if they pair it with another prospect, and you may be asking, why do you want such a lucrative return package? Well, look at the stats. We all know Holmes has been amazing this year. Nine games started, 4-4 record, a .239 ERA in 52-2 with a 1-10 width. He has a 1.9 War, which still ranks in one of the top positions on the entire New York Met team, only significantly behind Juan Soto, who of course is the lone representative in the All-Star game for the Amazons. Additionally, that .239 ERA is a career best. He's really starting to show up as a starter, which is even that much more impressive because he's been a bullpen guy for his entire career, and his contract is friendly for Milwaukee, just $13 million owed this year, and additionally, if he wants to stay, there's a player option for $12 million next year, but I think he wants to stay in New York because remember this from Will Salmon? He himself said that Klay Holmes is, quote, definitely open, end quote, to doing a mid-season extension with the Mets. Not only an extension period, but actually getting it done right now in the middle of the season, preferably before he gets back from injury, because I know he wants to focus on being there, playing, and pitching well for his team, but he's open to extending it, signing the paperwork now, so I think it really would take a ransom, in my opinion, to be happy with dealing Klay Holmes like a guy like Pratt or maybe even Lara, so let's turn over to our next guy, and that is the highly discussed Freddy Peralta, who of course the Mets gave up a relative ransom for in the offseason, but over the past six weeks, the Braves offense has reverted to the 2024 and 2025 versions of itself. Plenty of name value, limited production though. Atlanta's rotation, however, remains the priority, and while Hudson Waldrop is back, A.J. Smith-Schoyer is on his way, and J.R. Ritchie is available to board the train and pitch when necessary, the Braves desire something more certain, and even if certainty isn't exactly what Freddy Peralta has provided for the Mets this season, there's enough history there for Atlanta to treat him as the upgrade that he would be. Maybe it's Freddy, maybe it's Michael Wacca, maybe it's one of a dozen other starting pitchers available. Whatever the Braves choose, their needs happen to align with the market's clear strength, and there are fewer sure bets at this deadline than Atlanta getting a starting pitcher, considering that market is really, really high. Hopefully for this case scenario, they'd be willing to give up a lot in return for Freddy Peralta. Of all the dream trades though, C.J. Abrams going to Atlanta is an intradivision deal in the unlikeliest, even if he would stop Truist Park revolving door at shortstop. Between Jorge Mateo and Mauricio Dupont, the Braves have cobbled together a decent enough bulwark at shortstop to make up for the House on Kim disappearing act. But still, with some guys in low eight ball right now, there are no long-term solutions in the offing, and at some point Atlanta will do what it takes to ensure that revolving door gets locked. But I mainly think they are focused on the starting pitcher front, which is good because granted, they only have the 26th best pipeline, according to that Bleacher Report article. But there are some guys that I'd be interested in, and as we've heard before, Freddy Peralta can still yield a top 100 prospect. So looking at Atlanta, they have the following. Left-handed pitcher Cam Chiamanetti, who is 43rd in all of baseball. Outfielder Eric Hartman, who is 77th. And second baseman slash shortstop, middle infielder Tate Silseneyer, who is 97th in all of baseball. I think getting one of these guys, I mean, if you get two, that's even better. But I think getting one of these guys even alone would be enough for Peralta based on the way he's pitched. As we pull up the stats, if you can somehow get one of these guys plus another prospect, that is also a plus because Freddy is 5-8 in 20 games, started 104 in the thirds, just a 0.1 war with a 466 ERA, 144 width. It is the second worst of his career in war, ERA, width, hits for 9 at 9.1 and the worst strikeout to 9 at 9 and the worst strikeout to walk rate at a 2.36. Additionally, though, he is on a pitcher-friendly and a team-friendly contract at $8 million this year, going into free agency next. So I very well see them at trading him. I think it's actually a guarantee at this point and getting someone like one of those top 100 prospects that Atlanta has is a good enough return package in my eyes. But here is a guy that would take a massive return package in my opinion because I think he is a near untouchable. And that, of course, is Luke Weaver. The torn tendon in rookie Connor Griffin's ring finger is expected to sign on him for two months, which is an utter gut punch. The Pirates were eagerly anticipating first baseman Spencer Horwitz coming off the IL and the August return of O'Neal Cruz to supercharge one of baseball's best offenses. Instead, they can only hope that they're still in the playoff mix come the trade deadline. Pittsburgh's desire to win now is understandable. It's been a decade and even then, the Pirates didn't have the ceiling they do now. At the same time, the rash of injuries could mitigate the urgency to pay significantly for rentals, which leaves the two bullpen options on multi-year deals. Neither will come cheap. Garrett Whitlock is a consistently solid relief arm. He would be their best fit. But Luke Weaver, who's that dream matchup, has been near unhittable amid the Mets flop this year. Either one would offer an alternative for manager Don Kelly to use in the ninth inning. Remember, Weaver does have closing experience alongside or instead of former Met Gregory Soto. And with the Pirates best reliever this year, Evan Sisk, hitting the injury list with an elbow injury, they're on the hunt for help and could be a team that tries to strike a deal sooner rather than later. Now, when you look at their prospect pipeline, they are seventh in all of baseball ranked in that category. Again, the Mets are 28th, but they only have two in the top 100. Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, who is sixth in all of baseball, and outfielder slash first baseman Edward Florentino, who is 30th in all of baseball's prospects. I don't think the Mets are going to get either of those guys in a deal for Weaver. And therefore, in my opinion, I would take the Pirates off the trade market because look at how good Luke Weaver has been. 37 appearances, 39 innings, two and one, a 185 ERA, 1.7 width, 0.82, 1.7 war. That's amazing. 4.8 hits per nine, half a home run per nine, 3.91 strikeout to walk. He's on pace for the best war of his career. Best ERA, best width, best hits per nine. And his contract is also friendly, 9.5 million this year. And he's under contract next year at 12 and a half mil. Also note, this is still going on, this crazy scoreless streak. Luke Weaver now has 24 scoreless appearances. The second longest streak in franchise history, only behind Mark Guthrie when he had 33 in 2002. It's the longest active streak in the MLB. If the Mets decide to shop Weaver at the deadline, they'll do so with his value at an all-time high. 27 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. Now, quickly, one last piece of info before we dive into all those mock trades that I was talking about earlier. Update, the Mets were pushing to acquire, ironically, the Pirates' number 34 overall pick, with Brooks Raley potentially being in discussions. But the Pirates instead sent that pick to Chicago for Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Isert. So Gonzalez, he was Chicago's 14th prospect, and Isert is a Southpaw with a career 4.71 ERA, whereas Raley owns a 2.04 ERA and 1.2 width with a 4-4 record in 39 appearances, 35 and a third innings pitch. So actually, that might have saved the Mets. They could probably get a good prospect or two in return for Raley, especially for a team that desperately needs bullpen help, i.e. maybe the Washington Nationals that are looking to make a deep postseason push. Now, remember when I said keep the top prospects in mind? This is why. As for potential returns, here is the route that I would go, this being Sleeper Mets, the guy that runs it. First off, for Freddie Peralta, starting pitcher Briggs McKinney, who is their number seven overall prospect, and outfielder Diego Torres, who is eighth overall. I don't know if I necessarily love this because Peralta was supposedly guaranteed a top 100 MLB prospect if the Mets trade him and when the Mets trade him at the deadline. So I don't know if I love that, but if it's the only deal that can happen, get rid of Peralta. I don't really care. He's not coming back next year. We all know that. Might as well get some return for him. As for Holmes, it would be starting pitcher Logan Henderson, who is their seventh prospect, first baseman Luke Adams, who is 12th, and outfielder Braylon Payne, who is 13th. I don't know if I'd necessarily do this again because I think Holmes is a part of the 2027 team and a part of that 2027 plan. So I personally would like to see a top 100. Now, Henderson is probably close enough to a top 100 prospect, so maybe I'd pull the trigger, but honestly, I'd rather make that a top 100 prospect instead of Logan Henderson or maybe in addition to Logan Henderson if the Brewers are offering. And then finally, the Pirates for Weaver would be starting pitcher Antoine Kelly, their seventh prospect, outfielder slash first baseman Esmin Valdez, who is number nine, and Easton Carmichael, a catcher, who is 13. Again, same thing as Holmes. Weaver has just been so incredible and I think is a part of that 2027 plan for the Mets who hopefully want to compete that I personally wouldn't do this deal. I want top 100 prospects, but go down there in the comment section and let me know what you think. Do you agree with me or disagree with me? Thoughts on these mock trades that we just see? Is there anything more that you want? Would you do these deals as is? And also, should the Mets even trade these guys like Holmes and Weaver? I personally say no, but give me all your thoughts down below. Let me know if you agree or disagree. Unfortunately, that's all the time I have for you in today's video. Thank you so much always for watching and let's go Mets.