According to a report from Anthony DiComo, the Mets could turn to three pitchers to help fill the void left by Manaea and Montas. One of them is Paul Blackburn, who joined the team in 2024. He started five games last season, finishing with a 5.18 ERA and a 1-2 record.

The second option is Griffin Canning, who brings five years of MLB experience with the Angels. Recently signed by the Mets to bolster the rotation, Canning posted a 5.19 ERA in 2024 across 31 starts, finishing with a 6-13 overall record.

The final candidate is Tylor Megill, who has been with the Mets for four seasons and has gradually developed as a starter. Last season, he made 15 starts, recording a 4.04 ERA and a 4-5 record. His best year came in 2023 when he made 25 starts and posted a 4.70 ERA.

How Long Will Montas and Manaea Be Out of the Mets’ Rotation?

Frankie Montas confirmed that he will likely miss 4-6 weeks while recovering from a lat strain, meaning he will be sidelined for all of March and could return by mid-April. Meanwhile, Manaea is dealing with an oblique injury and is expected to miss a similar amount of time, keeping him out of the rotation for the foreseeable future.

The stats of Montas and Manaea in 2024

The New York Mets will undoubtedly feel the absence of Sean Manaea in their rotation. In 2024, Manaea posted an impressive 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA over 181.2 innings pitched. His ability to pitch deep into games and maintain a low WHIP of 1.08 made him a reliable and consistent presence on the mound. Manaea’s 184 strikeouts further highlight his effectiveness in limiting opposing hitters and keeping the Mets competitive in every game he started.

Frankie Montas, on the other hand, had a more challenging season in 2024 with 2 teams but still provided valuable contributions to the Mets’ pitching staff. Montas recorded a 7-11 record with a 4.84 ERA over 150.2 innings pitched. Despite his struggles, Montas managed to strike out 148 batters, showcasing his ability to generate swings and misses2. The combined loss of Manaea’s consistency and Montas’s strikeout potential will undoubtedly impact the Mets’ ability to maintain a strong and competitive pitching staff.

Regardless of how much offensive firepower you have, everybody knows you can’t win in the postseason unless you have a solid starting rotation. For that, starting pitchers are often the most-coveted assets at this time of the year.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the three best starting pitchers that could bolster any contenders’ rotation. They should be up for grabs as their teams are far from contention right now.

MLB Trade Rumors: The 3 Best SP Likely To Be Available

3. Luis Castillo

Just like last season, Luis Castillo got off to a slow start, this time due to injury. But the Cincinnati Reds ace has once again turned the corner and proved that he could be a workhorse and steady contributor on a winning team.

Thus far, Castillo has a 3-4 record with a 3.09 ERA, 1.141 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts over 64.0 innings of work. His velocity is down a tad and he’s not getting any younger, but he still has a filthy repertoire and should be available at a reasonable price.

2. Jose Quintana

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a mess and will continue to be one for the foreseeable future. They’re looking to get younger, more athletic, and gather as many prospects as they can, so they have no use for a 33-year-old hurler.

Jose Quintana has been under the radar for most of the season. But don’t let his 2-4 record fool you. He’s got a 3.33 ERA and has thrown 74 strikeouts on 81.0 IP, boasting a WHIP of 1.284. Also, he’s on a team-friendly deal.

1. Frankie Montas

And last but not least, we find the guy everybody’s been talking about since before the start of the season. It’s not a matter of if Frankie Montas would be traded, but when and where he’ll be traded to.

The Oakland Athletics went through yet another massive roster overhaul in the offseason, but Montas stood put. He’s got a 3-9 record with a 3.26 ERA in 17 starts this season, striking out 100 over 96.2 innings of work.

That volatility has kept most analysts from making their predictions about what may or may not go down at the trade deadline. What teams will be sellers? Who’ll be on the move? It’s anybody’s guess.

But even though some teams could still turn the page and get hot before the deadline, chances are that some of the best players in the league will find a new home. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 3 best trade deadline candidates as of now.

MLB Rumors: The 3 Best Trade Deadline Candidates

Frankie Montas

Somehow, Frankie Montas managed to survive the Oakland Athletics’ offseason roster overhaul. But he’s still been linked to multiple teams since the start of the season, and it’s just a matter of who’s going to pay what the A’s want in return for him.

While never the most consistent hurler, Montas’ past two seasons have been quite solid. He’s got a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 4and could provide a huge boost for a championship-caliber rotation.

Willson Contreras

Willson Contreras and the Chicago Cubs weren’t on the same page on a contract extension and will head to arbitration. But regardless of the outcome, their struggles and Yan Gomes’ presence make us think that he’s going through his last days at Wrigley Field.

While not many teams need an upgrade at the catcher position, Contreras is one of the best offensive players at that spot and should come at a huge discount as he’s going to be a free agent at the end of the season.

Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo struggled in the first half of last season before going back to his dominant form after the All-Star break. He started this year in the IL and is slowly working his way back into elite form again.

The Cincinnati Reds won’t compete for years to come. Castillo’s numbers aren’t exactly impressive right now, but he’s got the potential to be one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball.