The New York Mets could soon find themselves linked to another major trade scenario, as speculation grows that they may attempt to acquire a top bullpen arm from the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cardinals fully embracing a rebuild, rival contenders are keeping a close eye on which established players may still be available.
St. Louis signaled its intentions months ago by beginning a teardown at the trade deadline in July. In a series of notable moves, the Cardinals dealt key veterans Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz to playoff hopefuls, setting the stage for what has become one of the franchise’s most aggressive rebuilding efforts in recent memory.
That overhaul continued into the offseason. The Cardinals sent ace right-hander Sonny Gray and veteran catcher Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox, further stripping the roster of established stars. Shortly thereafter, franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado was moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks, a deal that underscored just how committed the organization is to starting over. Perhaps the most impactful move came when versatile All-Star Brendan Donovan was traded to the Seattle Mariners, leaving St. Louis with very few veteran pieces remaining.
With Donovan gone, many around the league believe the Cardinals have just one significant trade left to make: moving reliever JoJo Romero. According to Just Baseball’s Joe Browne, a mock trade has Romero heading to the Mets in exchange for prospects Osiris Calvo and Adolfo Miranda.
Romero, 29, has quietly developed into one of the more reliable left-handed relievers in baseball since arriving in St. Louis in 2022. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, posting an impressive 2.07 ERA across 61 innings. Browne highlighted Romero’s ability to limit hard contact, generate ground balls at an elite rate, and neutralize left-handed hitters with a devastating glove-side slider. Those traits make him an especially attractive option for a Mets bullpen that could use another high-leverage lefty.
From New York’s perspective, Romero would be a seamless fit. He could slot into the back end of the bullpen immediately, offering late-inning stability and even closing experience if needed. For a team with postseason aspirations, adding a proven reliever like Romero would represent a low-risk, high-impact upgrade.
However, the proposed return is where skepticism arises. While Calvo and Miranda are intriguing developmental pieces, they are considered lower-level prospects with uncertain ceilings. For a pitcher of Romero’s caliber—arguably one of the most valuable relievers currently available on the trade market—the Cardinals would likely expect a more substantial return.
Given the demand for bullpen help among contenders, St. Louis is in a strong position to leverage Romero’s value. Teams chasing October success routinely overpay for elite relief pitching, and Romero’s age, contract situation, and recent performance only increase his appeal.
While the idea of Romero landing with the Mets makes sense on paper, the Cardinals are unlikely to settle for a modest prospect package. If St. Louis does move him, it will likely be in a deal that brings back more impactful assets as they continue reshaping their future.
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