New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has frequently advocated for the team to make roster improvements before the MLB trade deadline, urging owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns to take action. Nimmo’s call for reinforcements has been echoed by Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino, who made a similar appeal following the team’s dominant 12-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
When asked by Joel Sherman of the New York Post whether Stearns should pursue roster upgrades before the trade deadline, Severino strongly affirmed the need for action. “One hundred percent,” Severino responded. He emphasized that the team’s current position was not anticipated and highlighted their potential for further improvement. “Nobody was expecting to be here where we are right now. And we showed everybody what we can do — and we can get better,” he added.
Earlier in the season, when the Mets had a disappointing record of 22-33 as of May 30, Severino and All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso were frequently mentioned in trade rumors. However, since then, the Mets have seen a turnaround, improving to a 53-48 record and positioning themselves within the wild-card race in the National League standings.
Reports suggest that as the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Mets are likely to target bullpen reinforcements rather than making high-profile moves. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, the team is considering focusing on acquiring relief pitchers on a rental basis rather than pursuing long-term options that would require a larger prospect investment. This strategy aims to bolster the bullpen without depleting the team’s prospect pool significantly.
Former New York Giants player Tiki Barber had previously warned that Cohen and Stearns should heed the players’ calls for roster enhancements, based on their performance and vocal requests. The Mets responded positively, winning four out of six games leading up to the deadline.
Sherman noted that teams aspiring to make the playoffs typically expect their front office to reflect that ambition by making necessary improvements. First-year Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and his coaching staff have overseen a remarkable turnaround, with the team rallying from 11 games under .500 on June 2 to achieve a 29-13 record in subsequent games. This includes a perfect 4-0 record against the Yankees, a team with a pressing need to make significant trades.
As the Mets prepare to start a four-game home series against the Atlanta Braves (54-46) on Thursday night, the outcome of these games could influence Cohen and Stearns’ decision-making. If the Mets manage to win three of the four games, it could reinforce the argument for making more substantial pre-deadline moves, rather than just minor adjustments.