The New York Mets have made their first significant move ahead of the trade deadline, addressing a critical need in their bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, the Mets will send minor league pitchers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster to Baltimore.
Securing Soto, who has a track record as a two-time All-Star, is a key step in strengthening the Mets’ late-inning options, particularly as they seek to enhance their bullpen depth. With Brooks Raley recently returning from Tommy John surgery, adding Soto, who boasts a 3.96 ERA across 36 1/3 innings this season, helps bolster this area. His impressive strikeout capability, evident in his 44 strikeouts this season, also adds value.
The Mets had been viewed as rich in pitching talent within their farm system, providing them the flexibility to trade from a position of strength. Aracena, just 20 years old, has shown promise with a 2.38 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings at Single-A St. Lucie, while Foster, at 26 years old, has excelled in Double-A with a stellar 1.01 ERA in 26 2/3 innings.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has historically favored acquiring multiple relievers to improve bullpen depth, a strategy likely to be repeated this season, as the team continues to pursue further enhancements.
Overall, this trade reflects a clear commitment by the Mets to invest in their pitching staff. Soto’s effective pitching against left-handed batters, combined with his high-velocity sinker and slider, makes him a valuable addition. The Mets’ proactive approach may lead to more strategic acquisitions as they aim to solidify their roster as they head deeper into the season.