Mets $22 million reliever gets 'heavy demand' trade deadline update

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The 2026 New York Mets are very likely to be trade deadline sellers by the August 3 deadline date. But there's still some uncertainty about what the Mets will sell.

While it seems fairly obvious that players like Freddy Peralta, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley will be readily available, the same can't be said for anyone under club control beyond 2026.

However, according to MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com, the Mets got a very intriguing trade update on $22 million reliever Luke Weaver, as he's reportedly going to be in "heavy demand" this summer.

Mets get intriguing 'heavy demand' trade update on Luke Weaver

"Weaver will be in heavy demand at the deadline and outside of Aroldis Chapman, could be the most coveted reliever on the market," Murray writes.

While the Mets might not want to trade Weaver, as the right-handed reliever is signed through the 2027 season on a two-year, $22 million deal, this kind of update could make a trade a lot more appealing.

Weaver, the 32-year-old reliever who has a 1.89 ERA this season with 42 strikeouts and a 220 ERA+ across 38.0 innings of work this season, could be the most coveted reliever on the trade market.

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Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox is the top closer trade target this summer, but outside of the flame-throwing lefty, Weaver might be the top option for teams to try to trade for.

Even though the Mets might not want to trade Weaver, parting with the veteran right-hander would make sense if they get some huge offers.

A contender would surely come offering a strong package for Weaver, and the Mets need to be open to such a deal. That's especially the case if this rumor from Murray, that Weaver will be in "heavy demand," is true.

Trading Weaver could bring back the best return of any deal the Mets make this summer, and with such "heavy demand" for the right-hander, Stearns and company will have to seriously consider a trade with Weaver if they get such an offer by August 3.