New York Mets fans never thought mid-season would look like this! They came into June with swagger, few had, leading the NL East by over five games. They looked like the most dangerous team in baseball, and why not, right? They have a team that’s full of stars, be it Lindor, Alonso, or Juan Soto. But how the script has flipped. Now a $90 million payroll team, smashed them and how. Saturday’s game against the Pirates, 9-2, was brutal!
The Mets have lost 12 of their 15 games, and their cushion is gone. But one thing is clear, and that is that something needs to change. The weakness most visible is the center field. Jose Siri is out. Tyrone Taylor struggled at the plate, and patience is running out. As such, one name that has come up in trade talks again and again is Luis Robert Jr., and on paper, he seems like the perfect fit.
Robert is young and toolsy and also under team control. However, this season has not been pretty for him. A .185 average and just a 63 wRC+. However, the Sox are still thinking of it as a slump and not as a sign of decline. And that is making the negotiations tricky. But this is where Byron Buxton comes in.
NEWS: If the Mets do not pursue Luis Robert Jr, the team could pursue $100 million outfielder Byron Buxton from the Minnesota Twins, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/E01Bcheo14
— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) June 30, 2025
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “If the Mets cannot land Robert, they’re expected to pivot quickly to Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, who has quietly had an outstanding bounce-back season.” And suddenly, this seems all too real. And Buxton is now 31 years old and has stayed healthy—and honestly, that is one of the biggest reasons. But more than that, Buxton is dominating. A .281/.347/.566 slash line, 19 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and a 151 wRC+. So it proves that he is not just bouncing back; he is thriving.
Defensively, he is still making plays with great range, too. Sure, he might not be the sprinter he once was, but he still has the spark. But there is a risk. With the Mets on a downward spiral and the trade deadline coming, waiting might be the biggest gamble right now. But if you are being real, Byron Buxton is not coming cheap—he is, after all, on a $100 million contract.
Is Byron Buxton worth the gamble for the New York Mets?
It’s not just Byron Buxton’s $100 million contract that’s an issue. His injury report also reads longer than a CBS receipt, and this is a huge risk. But that’s also the reason teams like the New York Mets might have a shot at landing him. If the Minnesota Twins decide to shift into the mode of retooling, and then they are sitting at 40-44, then Buxton could be out for the season.
But it won’t be easy, because the Minnesota Twins would want real prospects. And that is a huge dilemma for the New York Mets. Because the question is, does one go all in for a guy who has been electric when he is healthy but rarely fully healthy? But if Luis Robert Jr. is a flashy but broken car, then Buxton might be a thoroughbred. It’s surely risky, but at some point, for a team that needs offensive help, they need to rethink.
But here is the tricky part—the Mets are not alone. It seems like the Phillies have entered the chat, too, in this tight NL East race. Bleacher Report floated the wild trade idea that has many talking. Byron Buxton to the Phillies in exchange for righty Mick Abel and catcher Alirio Ferrebus. Sure, it is bold, but it is also telling about how hot the market for Buxton really is getting now.
For now, the bottom line is that the Mets need to act fast because time is running out. What do you think?
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