Two Mets Blockbuster Trades Involving Lindor, Holmes

The New York Mets are bona fide sellers this year and will be busy fielding plenty of trade calls on just about any player on the roster ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline.

The Mets will look to acquire as much young talent and value as possible and punt on a disastrous 2026 season after their offseason plan went awry. New York has plenty of interesting players for sale and few untouchables.

President of baseball operations David Stearns focused on building a team that excels at run prevention, and the results have been extremely underwhelming, so much so that New York is one of the worst defensive teams and currently occupies the third-worst record in Major League Baseball entering Tuesday.

The Mets are likely parting ways with a lot of pitchers, both starters and relievers, as well as some outfielders that draw interest. Right-hander Freddy Peralta already believes he made his last start in a Mets uniform and given his contract situation on top of his performance this year, he will be a cheap option for contenders.

One starting pitcher that has gained a ton of traction despite not pitching a big-league game since mid-May is righty Clay Holmes. Holmes will be more expensive than Peralta despite likely being a rental and will be a popular name to watch in the coming days.

ESPN put together 10 blockbuster trades that would shake up the trade deadline and included a trade offer involving Holmes to the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox need pitching and could benefit from Holmes’ experience both in general and in the postseason. Acquiring Holmes would give them three quality starters capable of starting a playoff game.

“David Sandlin, whom the Sox traded for last offseason, throws hard and he might have a bright future, but he isn't helping in 2026,” Eric Karabell wrote Tuesday. “He would help the Mets next year.”

Sandlin is a right-handed pitcher who has struggled this season but like Karabell said, has a hard fastball and is effective when he controls his pitches.

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez drew up a blockbuster that would send shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Yankees, a deal that would send shock waves throughout the baseball world.

“The Yankees need to address shortstop and could use another difference-making player with Aaron Judge nursing a rib injury,” Gonzalez wrote. “Lindor, who has full no-trade protection at this point, can stay in New York and play for a contender.”

Gonzalez mentions that the Mets would get to shed a huge contract from its payroll and break up a dynamic between Lindor and Juan Soto that isn’t working out.

The Yankees would be reluctant to include a prospect like George Lombard Jr., but Gonzalez proposed a deal centered around infielder Dax Kilby could get the needle moving. Lindor has five more years and $160 million left on his deal after 2026.