Steve Cohen is trying to shut down the speculation before it gains any real momentum. Appearing on “The Show” podcast, the New York Mets owner made it clear that he does not expect either Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto to be traded before the Aug. 3 deadline. Considering where the Mets sit in the standings, that statement immediately drew attention, but the financial and competitive realities surrounding both stars make Cohen’s position difficult to challenge.
Chelsea Janes of SNY reinforced that outlook in a report published Monday, describing trades involving either player as “highly unlikely.” Cohen reportedly remains committed to building around Lindor and Soto despite the club’s disappointing 37-53 record. With two of baseball’s biggest contracts already on the books, the Mets would face enormous financial and logistical hurdles if they attempted to move either player in the middle of the season.
Lindor and Soto Remain the Mets Foundation
Lindor signed a 10-year extension worth up to $341 million before the 2021 season, while Soto agreed to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract after joining the Mets in December 2024. Those deals were designed to make both players the long-term faces of the franchise, not short-term trade chips during a disappointing season.
Questions about the relationship between Lindor and Soto may continue to fuel sports talk after last year’s collapse and another frustrating campaign, but there has been little indication that the organization views either player as expendable. Instead, the Mets appear willing to endure a difficult season while keeping their cornerstone talent intact.
Bo Bichette Presents a Different Question
The more intriguing discussion centers on Bo Bichette. Since arriving in New York, Bichette has struggled to produce at the level that made him one of the American League’s premier hitters. His slow start has naturally sparked questions about whether the Mets could consider trading him before the deadline, particularly amid uncertainty about the opt-out clause in his three-year, $142 million contract.
According to Janes, people familiar with the club’s thinking believe the situation remains fluid. If Bichette finishes the season strongly, he could test what is expected to be a relatively thin free-agent market for hitters. If he continues to struggle, remaining with the Mets and rebuilding his value could become the more attractive option.
That uncertainty creates an interesting dynamic. An acquiring team could view Bichette as either a short-term rental or a player under team control for two additional seasons if he chooses not to opt out. Even so, the Mets reportedly are not under pressure to move him.
Deadline Conversations Are Still Coming
Janes noted that New York appears willing to listen to offers on almost anyone if another club presents unexpected value, but Bichette’s combination of age, contract status, and previous production keeps him from being viewed as an urgent trade candidate. At just 28 years old, he still possesses the upside that made him a batting champion earlier in his career.
Through Monday, Bichette was hitting .258 with a .304 on-base percentage and a .385 slugging percentage. He had collected 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .689 OPS, respectable numbers but well below the offensive standard he established during his best seasons in Toronto.
Those statistics explain why the Mets may prefer patience over a quick trade. If the organization still believes it can contend in 2027, or even begin turning things around as early as next season, holding onto Bichette could prove more valuable than selling low during a disappointing campaign.
As the All-Star break approaches, president of baseball operations David Stearns will undoubtedly receive calls from clubs looking to improve before the deadline. While Lindor and Soto appear firmly off the market, Bichette remains the name worth monitoring. The Mets may not be actively shopping him, but they also do not appear ready to dismiss every conversation that comes their way if another team is willing to meet a price New York cannot ignore.
