With the All-Star break now behind us, that marks both the end of the first half of the 2026 season and the start of the second half. All 30 Major League Baseball teams resume play either on Thursday or Friday. As far as the New York Mets are concerned, they are one of two teams (Philadelphia Phillies) who are back in action on Thursday. So with that in mind, here are some of the Mets’ biggest storylines and things to watch in the second half.
Mets’ Second Half Preview: Things to Watch
Trade Deadline
With the second half comes the MLB trade deadline, perhaps the most anticipated and intriguing part of the season. The Mets, who begin the second half with a dreadful 40-57 record and 12 games back of the third wild card spot, look like quintessential sellers in this year’s August 3 trade deadline that is just a little more than two weeks away. It is around this time of year (mid-July) that teams and front offices begin to understand and inform other front offices around the league about their plans. Whether they will be sellers, buyers, or may do a bit of both.
New York has at least two players who are almost guaranteed to be traded: relievers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter. The two lefties are both on expiring contracts and have performed very well this year. The Mets could recoup a couple of top 15-30 prospects for their services, if negotiated properly.
Others in the bullpen the Mets could deal to contending teams include Luke Weaver — who over his last 27 innings has not allowed a single earned run — which is the second-longest streak in franchise history (Mark Guthrie, 33 in 2002). Huascar Brazoban is another ‘pen arm the Mets could look to trade. Brazoban hasn’t nearly been as unhittable as Weaver has lately. But the right-hander has had tremendous success in his own right this season, posting a 2.76 ERA in 45.2 innings.
Both Brazoban and Weaver won’t be free agents after the season, with Brazoban still under team control for another three years and Weaver under contract for one more season. Meaning, it wouldn’t necessarily behoove the club to trade either at the deadline. Instead, they could decide to retain them both for 2027. And according to The Athletic, the Mets will require very strong returns if they are to trade players who they have under control beyond this season.
The same can be said for Clay Holmes but not Freddy Peralta, who will likely be shopped. Despite struggling all year, Peralta’s track record gives teams comfort knowing they can get someone of his caliber. Though he will be a hot topic, a good return may not be in the cards for New York simply because of his inability to perform to his or the Mets’ expectations.
Extended Looks
The Mets aren’t mathematically eliminated from postseason contention yet — no one is. But it doesn’t take a lot for someone to look at their position and agree that they will and should sell at the deadline.
But for the players, it’s understandable why they may still say they believe they can claw back into the race. That’s exactly what superstar Juan Soto, the lone Mets’ All-Star, said. “A turnaround, that’s what I’m expecting,” Soto said in reference to the remaining 65 games of the season. “Try to get these guys going. We have a lot of talent in there and talent that can do damage. I feel like we have guys that can do it all.”
But the reality is the reality. Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Mets will be selling. So when they inevitably do sell, that will leave the team with positions to fill. Those positions could and likely will be filled with prospects like Jonah Tong and others. Of course, guys like A.J. Ewing, Carson Benge and Nolan McLean will continue to get ample playing time. Pitchers Zach Thornton, the club’s No. 12-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and Christian Scott are expected to be in the rotation for the remainder of the season. Thornton, 24, is coming off his best career start in the majors on July 12 against the Boston Red Sox, throwing seven scoreless innings, only allowing four total baserunners.
Who Stays, Who Goes
The second half of the season for the Mets will be an up-and-down full evaluation of the squad. Who will they want to keep for next season and who they feel they don’t need. As much as it will be an evaluation at the major league level, the Mets’ player development in the minors will operate the same way. Prospects will get promoted to higher levels at a faster pace, and there will be more opportunities for other players.
Following their fire sale in 2023, New York claimed right-hander Reed Garrett off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Garret went on to impress the Mets in 17 innings that year and wound up becoming one of the most important pieces of their bullpen the next two seasons. Garret, 33, now a veteran, underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2025 and will miss the entirety of the ’26 season.
But it’s guys like Garret that the Mets will try and find in the second half. That goes for both pitchers and hitters.
Main Photo Credits: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
