The New York Mets entered the 2026 season with championship aspirations, but a brutal 10-21 start has forced the front office to rethink their strategy. The biggest culprit? A struggling offense that has left the team searching for answers.

According to ESPN's Jorge Castillo, the Mets are already actively exploring the trade market for hitting help—and they're willing to deal from their pitching depth to get it. However, not every arm is on the table.

Three pitchers have been deemed untouchable: Nolan McLean, Freddy Peralta, and Clay Holmes. McLean's status comes as no surprise, given his rising stock, but the inclusion of Peralta and Holmes signals that New York views them as foundational pieces moving forward.

Beyond that trio, just about every other pitcher could be available. That includes David Peterson, who has struggled to a 6.53 ERA with an 0-4 record and 29 strikeouts across seven appearances (five starts). Kodai Senga is also reportedly on the block, sporting a 9.00 ERA and an 0-4 mark of his own. Even promising young arms like Jonah Tong and Christian Scott could be dangled in the right deal.

For a team that expected to contend, this is a dramatic pivot. But with the offense sputtering and the season slipping away, the Mets are betting that a trade for a bat can turn things around. The question now is: which team needs rotation help badly enough to take a chance on a struggling Mets starter—and what kind of hitter can New York get in return?

One thing is clear: the Mets are ready to deal. The only untouchables are McLean, Peralta, and Holmes. Everyone else is fair game.