The Mets tried to form an even more powerful super bullpen than the one they currently have assembled.
While the Padres pulled off a shocking trade for Athletics closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline, the Mets had “substantial” talks with the A’s before the deal, according to The Athletic.
The Yankees reportedly were also in the mix but refused to include top prospects George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones in any deal.
While the players involved in the Mets-A’s discussion were not revealed, the Amazin’s surely would have been forced to part ways with some of their top-tier prospects, including Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat, Carson Benge and Nolan McLean.
The Padres traded the biggest package of any team at the deadline to land the hard-throwing righty closer, including the sport’s No. 3 prospect, shortstop Leo De Vries.
San Diego president of baseball operations A.J. Preller made a huge push for Miller, as is his wont, and the A’s viewed the Mets as the “most serious” option beyond the Padres, per The Athletic.
The Mets and A’s reportedly had “very serious” conversation, but the sides did not gain traction and the Amazin’s pivoted in different directions.
It is unclear what the holdup was.
The Mets instead opted to hold onto their prized prospects while acquiring other bullpen pieces in Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley, to go along with the previously obtained Gregory Soto.
The Mets, in theory, still have their prospects to pursue a potential blockbuster trade during the offseason.
While Frankie Montas continues to struggle, Sproat and McLean becoming intriguing as the Mets hope to not fall further behind the Phillies in the NL East.
The Padres and Mets are tied for the final two wild-card spots, three games clear of the Reds.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
