What Happened
On July 25, 2025, the New York Mets acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for two minor league pitchers, Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster. This trade is part of the Mets’ strategy to strengthen their bullpen ahead of the MLB trade deadline, which is set for July 31. Soto, a two-time All-Star, is expected to provide a significant boost to the Mets’ relief pitching, particularly after injuries have depleted their left-handed options.
Soto, who is 30 years old, has had a solid season with a 3.96 ERA and a 27.5% strikeout rate across 45 appearances. He has been particularly effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .138 batting average. The Mets’ management, including president of baseball operations David Stearns, has indicated that enhancing the bullpen is a top priority, especially as the team aims for a competitive stretch run.
Key Details
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Trade Participants:
- Mets Receive: LHP Gregory Soto
- Orioles Receive: RHP Wellington Aracena (20 years old, 2.38 ERA in 17 games at Class A) and RHP Cameron Foster (26 years old, 2.97 ERA over 21 outings at Double-A and Triple-A).
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Soto’s Performance:
- 3.96 ERA in 2025
- 27.5% strikeout rate
- Effective against left-handed hitters: .138 batting average, .547 OPS against
- Previous All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022
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Contract Status: Soto is making $5.35 million through arbitration and will be a free agent after the current season.
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Mets’ Bullpen Situation: The Mets have struggled with injuries to key left-handed relievers, including A.J. Minter and Danny Young, both of whom are out for the season. This trade aims to fill that gap, providing the Mets with a reliable left-handed option alongside Brooks Raley, who recently returned from Tommy John surgery.
Multiple Perspectives
The acquisition of Soto has been viewed positively by Mets management and analysts. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized Soto’s experience in high-leverage situations, stating that his presence will allow for more strategic deployment of pitchers in critical game moments. This sentiment is echoed by various analysts who see Soto as a valuable addition to a bullpen that has struggled since early June, when their ERA ranked 23rd in the majors.
Conversely, some analysts express caution regarding the trade’s long-term implications. While the Mets gave up two prospects, including Aracena, who has shown promise, the trade could be seen as a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution. There are concerns about Soto’s consistency, given that he has been traded multiple times in recent years, which may raise questions about his stability as a reliable option in the bullpen.
Context & Background
The Mets’ decision to trade for Soto comes in the context of a broader strategy to enhance their roster as they approach the final stretch of the season. The team has faced significant challenges due to injuries, particularly among their left-handed pitchers, which has necessitated a more urgent approach to roster management. Soto’s addition is seen as a critical step in addressing these challenges, especially as the Mets aim for postseason contention.
Historically, Soto has been a dependable left-handed reliever, having pitched in at least 62 games each season from 2021 to 2024. His experience in high-pressure situations is expected to be an asset for the Mets as they navigate the remainder of the season.
What We Don’t Know Yet
While the trade has been finalized, several uncertainties remain. The immediate impact of Soto on the Mets’ bullpen effectiveness will need to be assessed as he integrates into the team. Additionally, the Mets’ management has indicated that they are still seeking further bullpen improvements, particularly in acquiring right-handed relief options. It remains to be seen how many more moves the Mets will make before the trade deadline and how these decisions will affect their overall performance.
Furthermore, the long-term ramifications of trading away two prospects, especially Aracena, who has been noted for his potential, will only become clear in the coming years as they develop in the Orioles’ system. The Mets’ strategy of prioritizing immediate performance over future potential will be scrutinized based on the outcomes of this season and beyond.
