MLB Mock Trade: Mets May Be Desperate if Need-Be, Twins Send them Joe Ryan
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Any MLB team can be subject to trade rumors at any given point in time. As the season is nearly underway, no trade is likely to happen anytime soon. However, the player will linger in speculation. If they command concern or pose financial risks, that player could become a mid-season trade target if the situation suits the conversation. This is the case with Clay Holmes. If he struggles, the Mets could shed that contract as David Stearns chases the playoffs.
Fantasy Baseball Impact
Holmes would face much more risk to his profile if he left town. In this case, Holmes would join the Twins. Holmes would likely retain his starting role. However, we cannot overlook his history as a setup reliever. Perhaps, a new team could view Holmes that way. It is a minor risk, but still a notable risk in fantasy baseball.
As it looks, Holmes is 3rd in the Mets' rotation. Coming off a nice 2025 season, he hopes to repeat his success in 2026. A change of scenery may be optimism from his new team, but it also brings added risk in the additional avenues of coaching and surroundings. Holmes has been in New York with the Mets and Yankees for years.
With Joe Ryan now being a New York Met, he actually has some long-term risk. The Mets will add him as an immediate piece in the rotation. In this case, Ryan replaces Holmes and may also replace any given potentially injured pitcher. Could he lose his spot when players get healthy? How about prospects rising if Ryan struggles?
These are hypothetical situations. Ryan should retain his current valuation in fantasy baseball, just with an eye kept on his competition.
Mock Trade Details
Twins Get:
Clay Holmes
Jonah Tong
Future Prospect
Mets Get:
Joe Ryan
Why the Twins Say Yes
One man's trash is another man's treasure. The Twins could offload Ryan if the price is right. He is expendable with his current contract. Meanwhile, a team like the Mets would be aggressive about getting a guy if they need one.
In this long-shot hypothetical, the Mets may want a player like Ryan to fill in the rotation and get back on track. Meanwhile, the Twins absorbed the Holmes contract, which includes multiple options. They also have Jonah Tong along for the ride as he is expendable with the Mets.
Why the Mets Say Yes
The Mets displayed aggressive management styles in 2025. They made midseason trades to acquire Ryan Helsley and others. They could do the same in 2026. Steve Cohen wants the playoffs, and the Mets will do what is necessary.
The matter is not overly complicated beyond this reasoning. However, losing Tong is curious. The Mets currently have a solid rotation with Tong in the minors to start the season. The way the rotation looks, he will stay there for quite a bit. With struggles in 2025, Tong could be gone as a means to an end.
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Thomas Carelli is a sportswriter based on Northern New Jersey. He is a massive New York Jets and Mets fan, but that is not where is sports fandom stops. He loves to watch and play golf, all things football, baseball, and much more. If he can watch it, he will. Thomas graduated from William Paterson University in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management. He spent 4 years working at a local golf course, volunteered past PGA events, and spent some part-time experience with the New York Jets events team. His passions for sport runs deep and his articles show for it.