San Diego Padres May Have an Ideal Trade Partner in New York Mets

[Randy Holt]

While we don't know a whole lot about the reported trade talks between the San Diego Padres & the New York Mets, we at least know enough to be intrigued. Even if they've slowed at this point.

For example, we know that neither of Fernando Tatis Jr. on the Padres' end nor Francisco Lindor on the Mets' side were included as part of the talks. We also know that Mason Miller's name emerged as part of the discussion. At this point, that's kind of all we know. But that leaves a whole lot of wiggle room for speculation. Let's talk about the things we do know first. 

It's not a surprise that neither of the team's respective stars are a part of the discussion. A.J. Preller has come as close as possible to declaring Fernando Tatis Jr. untouchable without saying the literal phrase while the team is also unlikely to be willing to take on another long-term contract for a position player. Despite Lindor's continued status as one of the game's top shortstops — he still posted a 6.3 fWAR in 2025 even with a slight power dip — he's a 32-year-old under contract through 2031. Preller is more compelled to get money off the books for the long-term, rather than add to it. 

Miller's inclusion in talks is, somewhat paradoxically, also not a surprise. Despite the fact that the team only acquired him in July for a package that included top prospect Leo De Vries, trading from the bullpen represents perhaps the best opportunity for the Padres to make improvements to their roster in areas that are not as fortified. 

As for the still-known-but-less-tangible components of the two matching up on a potential deal, we know the Padres are seeking starting pitching, even following the re-signing of Michael King. The Mets have some depth there and some intriguing names in the upper levels of their system. On their side of things, they're looking to supplement their offense upon Pete Alonso's departure while also adding to their relief corps after Edwin Díaz left for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While it's difficult to see the Padres moving Miller for anything resembling less than a similar haul to the one they gave up, the idea that his name is part of the discussion at least lends itself to a larger one that any move between the two teams would include a reliever of significance (of which the Padres have many). 

So, it makes sense that either team would find some solace in the other as far as trade partners go. For Preller, though, the Mets may represent the most ideal trade partner he could find this offseason. The Padres and their rotation represent perhaps as obvious a need as exists for any club across the major league landscape. With only Nick Pivetta (and King) set to serve as an established starter, there's an urgency for Preller to solidify the group. If he can do so while also threading the needle of the holy grail of trade acquisitions (controllable starting pitching), the Mets can offer him exactly what he wants.

The Mets have already said that Nolan McLean represents an untouchable quantity from their farm system. He's the No. 11 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and should factor heavily in their rotation in 2026. Fortunately for the Padres, he's not the only prospective starter near the top of their farm that's slotted into the league's top 100 prospects. 

Jonah Tong is a name you'll likely hear a lot if trade talks between the two sides continue. His Pipeline writeup states the following: 

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"Standing at 6-foot-1, Tong can look like the second coming of Tim Lincecum with his deceptive over-the-top delivery and good extension. His fastball only shows average velocity in the 91-94 mph range, but it plays well above that with elite induced vertical break (averaging above 20 inches in front of Statcast cameras in the FSL). He plays off that high pitch with a 74-76 mph curveball that he can drop in (with above 65 inches of vertical drop) for early strikes or tunnel off the heater for a K. He leaned on his 82-84 mph cut slider early in 2024 as he was looking to hone the pitch, but a 84-86 mph changeup (thrown with a Vulcan grip) was better at generating whiffs as a rare armside offering for him. He's increased his usage with the cambio in 2025, following a slight shift in where he held the baseball, and has held that swing-and-miss rate."

The profile goes on to note his rising walk rate but also communicates the idea that he could be part of a rotation in 2026. Tong's combination of stuff, deception, and fact that he's only 22 represent a tantalizing combination for an organization like San Diego. And he's not the only one. 

Brandon Sproat no longer qualifies as a prospect, but his 2024 profile notes the following: 

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"The 6-foot-3 right-hander can touch triple-digits, as he's done a few times on the pro side, and he'll typically sit in the 95-97 mph range. He'll get some armside run on the heater too, so batters have to worry about more than just the velocity. His upper-80s changeup shows decent enough separation and good fade to give him another weapon that's worked in both college and the pros. He'll show a mid-80s slider and an upper-80s cutter -- two different pitches with varying amounts of horizontal break that have given upper-level hitters fits. There is also a 78-81 mph curveball that ranks behind the rest of the group in usage."

Velocity, interesting secondary pitches, and 25 years old? That all tracks as something the Padres certainly desire. Either of Tong or Sproat would be a massive addition to the Padres not only for 2026 but moving forward. It remains to be seen if they'd have to part with an arm like Miller to get a prospect with Tong-like pedigree, but it's not as if he's the only reliever with tremendous upside in the bullpen. 

It's also not as if Tong and Sproat are the only intriguing names within the Mets' organization, either. We previously discussed the idea of a Kodai Senga trade on the San Diego side of things. While far from a sure thing given his injury history, he'd certainly offer upside at what would likely be perceived as a lower cost than either of Tong or Sproat. There are also reports that the Mets are willing to part with David Peterson, who is coming off a career-high 30 starts in 2025. He's more of an unexciting vintage among the options, but would offer some stability for a rotation that currently lacks it.

There are obviously plenty of nuances to any arm that the Padres could acquire from the Mets, to say nothing of any deal at large. But with New York having a blend of established big-league arms and high-upside prospects which would slot well into a rotation starved for innings, the long and short of the discussion is that they represent the most ideal trade partner for A.J. Preller. While we'll likely hear of others in the coming weeks, the dialogue with the Mets should continue for that reason alone.

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