The New York Mets must explore trade options to replace Sean Manaea after the left-hander suffered a setback in his recovery from an oblique injury.
This offseason, the Mets prioritized adding pitching but took a different approach, opting against pursuing top-tier starters. Instead, they signed pitchers like Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes while also re-signing Manaea.
However, Manaea has yet to debut in 2025 as he continues recovering from his injury. His rehabilitation hit another obstacle, requiring a PRP injection and a two-week shutdown.
This is a significant setback for a Mets team aiming to contend for a World Series after acquiring Juan Soto and re-signing Pete Alonso. If they are serious about winning the NL East, securing the NL Pennant, and competing for a championship, they must find another starting pitcher to fill Manaea’s role.
Tong, 21, is ranked as the Mets’ sixth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline. The right-hander is the centerpiece of this trade, boasting ace potential with a dominant fastball and three effective off-speed pitches that have consistently performed well throughout the minors.
Reimer, also 21, is more of a wildcard in this deal. While he’s been in professional baseball for a few years, his power numbers have been underwhelming, posting a slugging percentage below .300 in 25 minor league games last season. However, he possesses a well-rounded skill set, making him a worthwhile gamble in a trade primarily focused on Tong and shedding Gray’s salary.
For the Mets, this move secures a reliable starting pitcher to fill in for Manaea. Even when the left-hander returns, Gray would provide valuable depth for New York’s World Series aspirations. Meanwhile, the Cardinals clear Gray’s salary off the books while adding a top-tier pitching prospect in Tong, who could reach the majors by late this season or early next year.
