New York Mets Shock MLB with Blockbuster Trade Rumor—Could a Superstar Be Heading to Queens?

Queens, N.Y. — The New York Mets are turning to their farm system for immediate help, officially summoning right-hander Nolan McLean to make his major-league debut Saturday at Citi Field. The 24-year-old flamethrower, rated the club’s No. 3 prospect by multiple publications, arrives after slicing through Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse with an 8-5 record, 2.45 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 113 ⅔ innings this season. Why the urgency? New York’s rotation, once billed as a strength, ranks in the bottom third of the National League in innings pitched since June 7, and veteran Frankie Montas was shifted to the bullpen earlier this week after posting a 6.38 ERA. Manager Carlos Mendoza believes McLean’s five-pitch mix — featuring a mid-to-upper-90s fastball and an 80s sweeper — can stabilize a staff that has logged only three quality starts over the last 24 games. The call-up also signals a philosophical shift for president of baseball operations David Stearns, who promised “smart, targeted aggression” at the trade deadline but ultimately stood pat, preferring to protect top prospects. Instead of dealing for a veteran arm, the Mets will audition one of their own just as the National League wild-card race tightens; New York entered Thursday two games behind the final spot with 48 contests remaining. Scouting report on McLean • Fastball: 95-98 mph with late arm-side life • Slider/sweeper: primary put-away pitch, tunnels off heater • Cutter & changeup: used early in counts to keep hitters honest • Curveball: occasional show-me breaker for strike-stealing Across two minor-league levels, opponents hit just .189 against the righty, and he eclipsed the 90-pitch plateau seven times, easing concerns about workload limits. Club officials were equally impressed by his poise; Triple-A swingman Paul Blackburn noted McLean “looked like he’d been planning big-league sequences for years” after watching his Syracuse debut. Roster dominoes To clear space, Montas moves to long relief, while Justin Hagenman was optioned to Syracuse in favor of Blackburn, giving the bullpen additional length for McLean’s first outing. The rookie is expected to slot between David Peterson and Kodai Senga, creating a southpaw-righty-lefty dynamic for an upcoming set against Seattle and division-leading Atlanta. Offensive momentum McLean won’t be alone in carrying fresh buzz. First baseman Pete Alonso smashed his 253rd career homer Wednesday, surpassing Darryl Strawberry for the franchise record and injecting life into an offense that has averaged 5.7 runs over its last 10 games. With Brandon Nimmo reaching base at a .390 clip and Francisco Lindor heating up post-All-Star break, the Mets believe even league-average innings from the back of the rotation could swing their October odds. What’s next Saturday’s debut comes against a Mariners lineup that ranks third in the AL in strikeout rate, presenting a favorable matchup for McLean’s swing-and-miss arsenal. If he sticks, the rookie could make as many as eight regular-season starts, a stretch that may define the Mets’ postseason fate — and perhaps the organization’s willingness to accelerate other touted arms such as Christian Scott and Blade Tidwell later this month. For a fan base hungry for a spark, Nolan McLean’s arrival offers both excitement and a tangible solution to New York’s most pressing need. The Mets are betting that the “Cowboy Ohtani” legend from Oklahoma State can translate immediately in Queens — and, in the process, steer the club back toward October relevance.