8:48pm: Heyman posts that Laureano appears to be behind Robert and Mullins on the Mets’ priority list, presumably because of the positional fit. Heyman adds that a few other teams are more likely suitors in the event that Laureano gets moved.
8:25pm: With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Mets have already been linked to some big bats, namely Eugenio Suárez and Brandon Lowe, and a handful of outfielders, including Harrison Bader, Luis Robert Jr., and Cedric Mullins. Now, you can add Ramón Laureano to both lists. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported this afternoon that the Mets have “considered” trading for Laureano, as well as noting their continued interest in Robert and Mullins.
In his eighth big league season, Laureano is on pace for a career year at the plate. Entering play today, his strikeout rate (25.1%) had never been lower, his isolated power (.247) had never been higher, and his .866 OPS, 139 wRC+, and .369 xwOBA were all career-bests. As for the other half of his game, he’s certainly not going to win a Gold Glove, but his elite throwing arm helps him make up for poor range, and he can more than hold his own in a corner spot. He is no longer well-suited for center field, but he has enough experience out there that he can play the position in a pinch. Indeed, that could be one reason why the Mets are interested. With Jose Siri out since April and Tyrone Taylor struggling badly at the plate, the club has been asking Jeff McNeil to play more center field lately. McNeil is well known for versatility, but he had only played three career games in center prior to this season. What’s more, every inning that McNeil plays in center is an inning that either Brett Baty or Luisangel Acuña plays at second base, and neither Baty nor Acuña is having a strong year at the plate. It’s hard to know whether Laureano would be a better defensive center fielder than McNeil, but there is little doubt that New York’s offense would be stronger with Laureano in center field and McNeil at second base. Ultimately, neither McNeil nor Laureano (nor Taylor nor Brandon Nimmo) is a great option in center field, but without a good solution, at least it helps to have depth.
Starling Marte and Mark Vientos have both come up in trade rumors recently, and if either one is dealt, that could also allow the Mets to slot in Laureano as their designated hitter as needed. Prior to this year, it would have been strange to suggest Laureano play DH; from 2020-24, he produced a perfectly mediocre .709 OPS and 101 wRC+. However, it’s impossible to argue with his production so far in 2025. He ranks 11th among AL batters (min. 200 PA) in OPS and 12th in wRC+. His hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and xwOBA all place him within the top quartile of Statcast qualified hitters. Perhaps most impressive, the righty-batting Laureano has done most of his damage against same-handed pitching. He has a 111 wRC+ against southpaws this year compared to a remarkable 154 wRC+ against right-handers. He’s likely due for some regression against righties, but that wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Mets, considering they already rank fifth in MLB with a 115 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. Conversely, they rank 17th with a 91 wRC+ against lefties. Laureano, who has a career 122 wRC+ with the platoon advantage, could help boost that number.
While payroll is obviously not a huge concern for the Mets, they are third-time luxury tax payers in the top tier of penalties, which means there is a 110% tax on all salary they take on. So, they surely like the fact that Laureano’s $4MM contract is significantly cheaper than those of other impact bats like Suárez and Lowe. His deal also includes a $6.5MM team option for 2026, which would be an absolute bargain if he keeps hitting like he has been for the rest of the year.
Laureano is not a perfect fit for the Mets’ roster. He is primarily a corner outfielder, and the team already has fixtures in both corner spots: Nimmo in left and Juan Soto in right. Still, he’s enjoying a tremendous season, and there is little doubt that the 2025 Mets would be a better team with Laureano in their lineup than they would be without.
Heyman just makes up crap to try to get hits which is why he was hired by the ku klux klan of papers.
Arson Judge
Deal with what? That they overpaid for Soto and it’s still not gonna get them a pennant?
Great player. Glad they signed him.
He’s a 800 million dollar DH.
You should actually watch him play. I realize that’s asking a lot of an ignorant troll.
He has dhed once this year. He’s played good defense and is dealing bases. Keep being ignorant.
He’s actually been fairly decent in the field. Certainly doesn’t have much range or speed out there, but he’s got a fairly decent arm, and does a pretty good job of playing bounces off the wall and cutting off balls.
“Keep being ignorant”..Insulting someone for having a different opinion is the height of immaturity and “ignorance” by the way. “Keep being ignorant” and also immature.
I’m an ignorant troll because you don’t like what I said. He’s not good in the outfield. Average at best. Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime deserves 800 million, not Soto.
Exactly. People put their fan goggles on and refuse to be honest about their favorite players.
I think it was a justified statement. If someone says Soto is a DH, it means they’re ignorant of the fact that he’s an average fielder. It’s probable that the poster hasn’t watched the Mets play this year.
I don’t care how well someone hits, you can’t give $800 million to an average defender.
What’s the difference on what you just did? Hypercritical much? Do you really think there is a difference in calling someone immature or ignorant?
Ever hear of Ted Williams? How do you suppose he’d be paid if he was playing in 2025?
Laureano is killing rhp this year while also play some solid defense overall. Definitely worth a look for buyers this year, also please throw my o’s a bone for pete’s sake lol.
Send him to cincy you can have whatever you want from the farm
Stope with this interested mess and get on with it
That Sounds Serious…Never Remember
My Goodness Gravious and Great Googly Moogly
Never Remember—-formerly known as blackpink and several other troll monikers.
Literally any of the young guys is better than this bum. Pass
This is the primary example of why Mets fans are total fools. Wrong dude.
Why target Ramon when Mullins actually fits your need. There are plenty of teams in need of a corner OF bat, so the price for ramon is likely higher.
I would not be shocked if Elias basically said Santucci (or whatever pitching prospect he likes past Sproat tong and mclean) for either one.
Mullins can’t hit.
Laureano can’t play CF.
Yeah, he’s not getting Santucci for a guy playing out of position for 2 months.
Who’s santucci
Are you going to shake down the Mets with high luxury taxes Mamdani?
It’s you again, Masculinetimwaltz/rachelmaddowishot. Why do you keep doing this?
Is he hittin’ a beer bong? Lol
Noooooooo not Santucciiiiii ..
If a team wants Ramon what is the likely ask?
That’s very considerate of them.
Consider this,
Losing my Red Pigeon!
Is that different than
Losing My Religion?
~R.E.M.
No thanks, we don’t need a cheater on the team. We should have never brought Cano back either. Let him go play with the Yankees or something, their fanbase doesn’t care. Its the Bronx, what do you expect
You’ve been perfectly happy w/Marte though, haven’t you? Not a peep from you about having that steroid cheat on your roster for the last couple of years.
ATL could have kept him for a lot less than they paid Profar (and he wouldn’t have missed half the season for juicing).
Trade for a true upgrade or don’t trade at all and wait till offseason. These type of players like Laureano etc should come from your farm not cost your farm
Better thank the Braves for helping him turn around his career
Wasn’t Laureano a premier defensive CF not too long ago? What exactly happened that made him not serviceable at that position anymore? Could he cover the position every 3rd or 4th game without it being too much of liability, and then get replaced late in the game by Taylor/Siri?
Orioles should just keep him he’s definitely worth 6.5 mil next year!
Laureano would be fine. He’s played tons of CF. More importantly he hits LHers well.. a perennial issue for the Mets.
Nice that they are considering a guy that won’t be traded
“Heyman posts that Laureano appears to be behind Robert and Mullins on the Mets’ priority list,”
If the Mets trade for any one of these three, I will eat my hat. The current Mets FO doesn’t seem to leak. All of these writers claiming Mets interest are just speculating for clicks.
The picture accompanying on the MLBTR app is quite a choice.
Would like the tigers to go after him
The contracts that he and Grisham get in the offseason are such a mystery to me. No one knows who these two guys really are. Late career resurgences after being written off. I don’t think they’re nearly as good as they’ve shown but they aren’t useless either.
Laureano is going to have his club option picked up for $6.5MM. No mystery there.
Didn’t realize that. Whatever team trades for him I suppose. The Orioles have a huge group of OF. Their backups can start on many teams