Rising Apple

Clay Holmes hasn’t pitched since May 15th. The reliever turned starter is on his way back with rehab beginning on Saturday July 18th with weather permitting. The timing is imperative because as a New York Mets player who’ll become a free agent, the idea of trading him is something everyone has thought about. Holmes has a $12 million player option for next season that could double as a free agent.

The New York Mets will play the Philadelphia Phillies an hour earlier than originally planned with a first pitch at 3:05pm rather than 4:05pm. The attempt to get the game in before the weather gets too brutal in Philly was a smart decision requiring only a minor adjustment. A much bigger one happened with the Mets lineup. See if you can spot it.

The New York Mets subscribe to the theory that it’s better to keep a young player in the minor leagues and let them play as often as possible rather than get a spot appearance here or there in the major leagues. When they called up A.J. Ewing, the purpose was to play regularly. Ronny Mauricio is toiling away on the farm for more than just his poor play in the major leagues. There’s little to gain from having him see minimal action.

MLB teams released their 2027 schedules this week because amid the All-Star Break, why not? The New York Mets will, per usual, play every team for at least one series. The host site with each American League team flips with the New York Yankees being the one exception. The Mets get to deal with them twice.

This year’s New York Mets trade deadline approach is going to be different. One of the latest rumors to come out is courtesy of Jim Duquette who has been splashing cold water all over potential Francisco Lindor trade scenarios. One of Duquette’s latest has to do more about the team’s entire strategy over the next 2+ weeks.

Francisco Lindor trade speculation won’t completely disappear even when he takes the field on August 4th for the New York Mets. He’s not the kind of player who’d generally get traded mid-season and with the upcoming CBA, we should have further doubts he finishes 2026 with another ball club. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, there is belief that while he won’t get moved at the trade deadline, the offseason is a different animal.

Should the New York Mets avoid trading with their biggest rivals? In whatever order you want to rank them, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees are the three teams we’d least like to see get any help from the Mets. While you should always take the best offer possible, there is a line for David Stearns to draw if he wants to keep things from backfiring too badly.

A comeback victory against the Atlanta Braves only gets sweeter each year. The June 30, 2000, game featuring a 10-run 8th inning might remain in your head. Long before, in 1973, the New York Mets had another big come-from-behind victory over the Braves. The year was 1973. Soda cost a nickel or something like that and the Mets were on their way to an NL Pennant. The date, July 17th, had a 38-50 Mets team up against a not-much-better 45-51 Braves squad.

Not all victories need to be shared out loud. Sep 20, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino (0) reacts during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect Adam Ottavino spent three seasons with the New York Mets and couldn’t have experienced more highs and lows.

Every team in need of bullpen help, line up. The New York Mets have options. From lefties A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley at completely different salaries to the controllability and usefulness of Huascar Brazoban to the most discussed and debated trade candidate of all, Luke Weaver, there is someone for everyone. One team fighting to stay above water in need of some literal relief are the Pittsburgh Pirates.