MLB Trade Rumors: Mets "Almost Traded" Red-Hot Prospect This Year
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and his team were "seriously listening" to offers for the 22-year-old shortstop before ultimately deciding to keep him.
Instead of moving Acuña, the Mets made other acquisitions, including pitcher Paul Blackburn and outfielder Jesse Winker, to address their needs without giving up one of their most promising prospects.
In hindsight, this choice was huge, as Acuña has since become a crucial piece of the Mets' lineup.
Luisangel Acuña says Ronald Acuña Jr. will post him on Instagram and say "Welcome to Atlanta" if the Mets lose the series to the Braves
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 24, 2024
"I told him we're not going to lose" pic.twitter.com/yAEBQ29TLY
Since being called up in mid-September to fill in for the injured Francisco Lindor, Acuña has exceeded all expectations.
In just nine games, he has slashed an impressive .379/.400/.828 with three home runs, two doubles, and a triple, while anchoring the defense at shortstop.
His offensive surge has helped the Mets go 6-3 during that stretch, keeping them in control of an NL wild-card spot.
Acuña’s emergence has been particularly surprising given that he wasn’t ranked among the Mets' top 10 prospects by MLB Pipeline and had been hitting just .258 in Triple-A before his promotion.
Luisangel Acuña for the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MANdTlhKPi
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2024
With six games left in the regular season, Acuña’s performance has put the Mets in a strong position to make the playoffs.
Reflecting on the decision not to trade Acuña, Stearns noted, "We had confidence that the moment wasn’t going to be too big for him," and his play has validated that belief.
Now, as the Mets prepare for a critical series against the Braves, Acuña’s presence in the lineup is no longer just a temporary solution—he has become a game-changer in the Mets' postseason push.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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