“The writer fears nothing so much as happiness, which is understandable, for writing is conserving, recording, ordering, but happiness avoids language, eludes words, hides in the past, and crumbles when you try to explain it.”
—“Lázár,” Nelio BiedermannFor the New York Mets, the next week marks the official pivot from 2026 to 2027 — from a season of profound disappointment to one of potential reclamation. And as the Mets tear down the roster that failed them this year, they should already be thinking of how best to reconstruct it next year.So, despite a record 18 games under .500 and no chance of making the postseason this year, the Mets should at least attempt one major move to buy at this trade deadline: They should do whatever they can within reason to trade for Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels.Why now and why Detmers? Let’s explore.The Mets very clearly need to add to the top half of their rotationI know it, you know it, the Mets know it: The most important thing they can do between now and Opening Day is add to the top of their rotation.President of baseball operations David Stearns said it Friday: “(The rotation) is an area we’ll have to look to supplement as we get to ’27.”Carlos Mendoza said it the week before he was fired, when I asked him what the common denominator between 2025’s late-season fade and this year’s early season struggles was: “The challenges that we’ve had from our starting pitching.”There is reason for encouragement in that starting staff. Nolan McLean’s season actually feels underrated now, given how strongly he’s rebounded from his hiccup in May. Christian Scott has come back from Tommy John surgery better than you could reasonably expect. And Zac Thornton has provided an unexpected lift in a small sample.Beyond that, the Mets have Jonah Tong and Jack Wenninger and Jonathan Santucci in the minors as arms that could help in 2027. New York still has Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga under contract for next season, with Tylor Megill slated to return from Tommy John surgery.Which is all to say, the addition they really need to make to the rotation is at or near the top. Adding a veteran on a short-term deal — like the ones Stearns signed for Manaea and Luis Severino heading into 2024 — doesn’t make as much sense for New York this time around.Detmers is a potential No. 1 or No. 2 starterYep, Detmers’ ERA is a shade below the league average. But just about every other number suggests he’s a top-20 starter in the sport.Here’s where he ranks in various categories this season:FIP: 14th
