The New York Mets are reportedly interested in acquiring Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates as they confront mounting injuries in their pitching staff. Keller, a 29-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, has recently demonstrated steady improvement, making the Mitch Keller trade profile a subject of considerable attention this season.
Keller posted a strong performance against the Mets on June 27, holding them to just one run over 5 1/3 innings during the Pirates’ 9-1 victory. This outing was part of an impressive stretch where he maintained a 2.40 ERA across his last five starts, pitching 30 innings. Over the entire 2025 campaign, Keller has logged 18 starts with a 3.64 ERA in more than 106 innings, establishing himself as a reliable component in Pittsburgh’s rotation despite a 3-10 win-loss record affected by inconsistent run support.
Performance Metrics and Pitching Style
Though his win-loss record may not appear impressive, Keller’s underlying statistics reveal a more favorable picture. He accumulated 84 strikeouts against 36 walks this year, while maintaining a 1.194 WHIP and a 117 ERA+, signaling above-average effectiveness. In 2023, Keller earned an All-Star selection after a solid season with a 13-9 record, a 4.21 ERA, and a career-high 210 strikeouts in 194.1 innings.
Since his MLB debut in 2019, Keller has made 149 starts in 151 games, compiling a 38-60 record with a 4.47 ERA and 771 strikeouts over 808 innings. His pitch repertoire in 2025 is well diversified, featuring a four-seam fastball thrown 35% of the time at an average speed of 94.0 mph, a slider and sweeper employed nearly equally at 16% and 18%, respectively, and additional offerings like a sinker, changeup, and curveball.
Keller’s slider, averaging 87.0 mph, is notable for its two-plane break and ability to generate groundballs, while his sweeper approaches 82.1 mph, slightly below the average velocity for right-handers. His sinker, thrown at about 92.9 mph, induces weak contact thanks to its sinking action. The changeup, thrown only 7% of the time but at an above-average velocity of 89.1 mph, tends to dive out of the strike zone with an armside fade, encouraging groundball outs. His curveball, used sparingly at 8% frequency, has sharp bite without frequently missing bats.
Trade Considerations and Contractual Factors
Any potential trade involving Mitch Keller would require navigating several crucial factors, foremost among them being Keller’s contract. In February 2024, Keller signed a five-year extension worth $77 million, the most lucrative pitching contract in Pirates franchise history. The remaining financial commitment includes his $15 million salary for 2025 plus $54.5 million from 2026 through 2028, which would add significant payroll expenses for the Mets.
The Mets already face the challenge of surpassing the luxury tax threshold, currently set at $301 million, making the financial implications of acquiring Keller substantial. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, appears poised to reduce payroll, creating a possible alignment of interests. The Pirates could be persuaded to accept a package of mid-tier prospects with some major-league experience, possibly including Ronny Mauricio and Blade Tidwell, along with a minor league pitcher outside of Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, or Jonah Tong, as reported by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Mets’ Rotation Situation and Strategic Motivation
Injuries have heavily impacted the Mets’ rotation this season, with key starters Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill currently on the 15-day injured list, while Griffin Canning is out for the year following Achilles surgery. Sean Manaea, sidelined all season due to an oblique strain and elbow complications, aims to return prior to the All-Star break, but the timing remains uncertain.
Post All-Star break, the Mets expect to feature a rotation consisting of Senga, Manaea, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and Frankie Montas throughout July. Although this group may be capable of maintaining playoff contention, the uncertainties surrounding health and consistent performance create an incentive to seek reinforcements.
Acquiring a pitcher like Keller, who has demonstrated reliable performance and steady development, could offer the Mets greater depth and stability in their starting rotation. This boost would be critical during the second half of the season as New York strives to contend for the NL East title and strengthen its position for the postseason.