The New York Mets are dealing with early-season rotation issues, and with their World Series hopes on the line, they might have to make a bold move. Two potential blockbuster trades have surfaced—one for St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray and another for Miami Marlins Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara. Either deal would reshape the Mets’ rotation and position them as serious contenders.
Mets Eye Sonny Gray to Bolster Rotation
With injuries sidelining Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, the Mets’ rotation looks shaky. While they’ve already made offseason moves by re-signing Manaea and adding Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning, their current rotation might not be enough to compete with the Dodgers and Braves.
FanSided’s Zach Pressnell has suggested a trade that would send Sonny Gray to Queens:
Mets receive: RHP Sonny Gray
Cardinals receive: RHP Nolan McLean (Mets’ No. 5 prospect), OF Drew Gilbert (Mets’ No. 11 prospect)
“The St. Louis Cardinals could be the perfect suitor for the Mets,” Pressnell wrote. “The Cardinals are reportedly trying to rebuild their roster, which means they could trade away their ace, Sonny Gray. Gray has been excellent for the last few seasons, so it would be pretty costly for the Mets to acquire him, but it would be much cheaper than acquiring Sandy Alcántara or Dylan Cease.”
Gray, a three-time All-Star, signed a three-year, $75 million contract in 2024 and has been consistently reliable, posting a 3.24 ERA over his last 84 starts. If healthy, he would give the Mets a much-needed frontline starter.
Or Could the Mets Swing Big for Sandy Alcántara?
If the Mets are willing to pay an even steeper price, a trade for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara could be a game-changer.
Mets receive: RHP Sandy Alcántara
Marlins receive: RHP Brandon Sproat, SS/OF Jett Williams, RHP Jonah Tong, INF Boston Baro
Alcántara was dominant in 2022, winning the NL Cy Young, but a torn UCL forced him to miss all of 2024 after Tommy John surgery. This spring, he’s looked like his old self. Given his team-friendly contract, Miami would demand a massive haul of prospects in return.
Sproat and Williams are both ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, while Tong and Baro are young, high-upside prospects. Trading them away would be a gamble, but Alcántara could anchor the Mets’ rotation for years.
Should the Mets Make a Move?
Both trades come with risks. Gray is a proven ace but would cost solid prospects, while Alcántara has a higher ceiling but also injury concerns. The Mets are in win-now mode—do they take the plunge or hold onto their future assets?
What’s the move, Mets fans? Go all-in, or play it safe?
