New York Mets acquire lefty relief help in first trade deadline move

The New York Mets have acquired a left-handed relief pitcher from the Baltimore Orioles in their first move of the deadline.

Jun 1, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Gregory Soto (65) looks on during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

And here we go!

With six days remaining before the July 31 MLB trade deadline, the New York Mets got things going on Friday by acquiring left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects' Wellington Aracena (No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and Cameron Foster.

SNY baseball insider Andy Martino was the first to report on this deal.

The Mets have traded for Gregory Soto, pending medicals, league sources say.

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 25, 2025

The Mets were in need of a lefty reliever and they got just that in Soto, who left-handed bats are hitting just .138 against this season. Soto is a hard-throwing power lefty arm who has produced 10.9 K/9 this year.

Left-handed batters are hitting just .138 against Gregory Soto this season

The Mets got their lefty reliever

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) July 25, 2025

Overall, Soto has posted a 3.96 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and 44 strikeouts across 36.1 innings. The Mets lost left-handed relievers' A.J. Minter (lat) and Danny Young (Tommy John surgery) to season-ending injuries and have now filled this void with Soto and veteran southpaw Brooks Raley.

The Mets are still in need of a setup man or two and they're likely still monitoring the market in search of relief help even after landing Soto.

The Mets bullpen as it stands has high-leverage arms in closer Edwin Diaz, Ryne Stanek, Jose Butto, Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Raley and now Soto.