The Mets’ rotation and bullpen are currently held together by hope and rehab reports. Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Taylor Megill are all on the IL, with tentative return timelines ranging from early to late July. Even promising stars like Dedniel Núñez and Paul Blackburn remain question marks. While some stars are inching back, it is tough to ignore that more than a dozen pitchers are sidelined. For the team trying to climb the standings, this is a nightmare recipe.

This alone would make any GM nervous; however, there is a real kicker—addressing those issues before the trade deadline is not as simple as picking from a menu. Joel Sherman did not beat around the bush.

“Is it bullpen for the Mets? Bullpen, bullpen and more.” Jon Heyman further backed Sherman up, highlighting how vital bullpen depth is when starters only go five innings. However, fixing this issue will not be easy, specifically, with a management reluctant to part with premium prospects. “They had a shot at Crochet,” Heyman revealed, “but they would’ve had to give up Sprro and Jet Williams—and they didn’t do it.”

That brings all to the pressure-cooker environment David Stearns now finds himself in. As per Sherman, Stearns could be principled, however, the pressure is on. “There’s a good deal of pressure on the Mets to kind of fix what’s wrong and make sure they get in the playoffs this year,” he says. However, there is an issue: Stearns is not identified as an aggressive deadline splasher. As Heyman added, “I don’t think he is a guy who wants to give up big prospects… I don’t see another Derek Jeter in that organization.” Translation? The Mets could talk the talk, however, pulling the trigger could be another story.

Making matters worse is the current market dynamic. With more purchasers than sellers, an estimated 20-to-10 split, teams are going to have to overpay. This is the new normal in 2025. The Mets could want help, however, unless the team transforms its approach, the Mets could end up watching the postseason slip away while holding onto prospects they never used.

Still, if the Mets remain hesitant to give up their best stars, current buzz says they could consider a more familiar face to patch the rotation.

Mets weigh reunion with $67 million starter as deadline solution gains steam

When Luis Severino left the Mets, it was not because the Mets did not like him. It was because the team did not love the price tag. The Athletics jumped in with a $67 million offer and convinced the star to pitch for a team that currently calls a Triple-A ballpark home. However, fast forward to July and Severino is already swirling in trade rumors, with the Mets circling back. As per Andy Martino of SNY, the reunion could happen if the Athletics absorb enough of the deal and take on a deal in return.

Severino’s data have not exactly screamed “ace”—the star’s 5.30 ERA in 19 starts this season is shaky. However, context matters. Such an ERA contains a vital 7.04 mark at Sutter Health Park, a hitter-friendly minor league venue where fly balls look to carry forever. However, on the road, the star has posted a powerful 3.04 ERA, highlighting glimpses of his 2023 form when he logged a 3.91 ERA across 182 innings in the Mets. It is not a flashy fix, however, for a team desperate to reinforce its rotation without mortgaging the farm, Severino’s return is gaining real traction.

The thought fits neatly into what the team execs have publicly signaled: a refusal to overspend in a seller’s market. Bringing back a known quantity—specifically, if the Athletics chip in financially—could be the type of creative and low-risk move that helps steady the ship without triggering long-period regret.

`