The New York Mets are already deep in the weeds. With a 13-22 record just days into May, this season has quickly turned into a nightmare for Queens. But here's the thing: it could get even worse—especially if the front office makes a panic move at the trade deadline.

According to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, the Mets' most likely trade candidate isn't a struggling veteran or an expiring contract. It's 22-year-old pitching prospect Jonah Tong, who currently sports a 7.71 ERA over five big-league starts. Miller suggests the Mets could move their top prospect to patch up a roster hole, rather than dealing someone like Freddy Peralta.

On paper, it's not a terrible idea. Tong is under club control through 2031, meaning he'd fetch a decent return. But for a team that's almost certainly headed for a lost season, trading a promising young arm for a rental or an expensive veteran would be a colossal mistake.

Think about it: the Mets are likely to miss the postseason this year. Sacrificing a high-upside pitcher like Tong for a short-term fix would be like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. It could derail the rebuild for years to come.

The only scenario where this move makes sense is if the Mets somehow claw back into contention by August 3. Given the team's current struggles, that feels like a long shot. Trading Tong to salvage a sinking ship might not just fail in 2026—it could haunt the franchise well into the future.

If New York were a top contender, dealing a prospect for immediate help would be a no-brainer. But right now, the Mets need to keep their eyes on the long game. Sometimes the best trade is the one you don't make.