Disclaimer
This article is an AI-generated baseball exercise created strictly for discussion and entertainment purposes. The proposed trades are based on roster construction, contracts, organizational needs, player value, and team fit. They are not intended to predict actual transactions or report insider information.
Can AI Fix the New York Mets?
Major League Baseball recently made headlines by banning the use of AI-assisted software on dugout iPads during games, believing baseball decisions should remain in the hands of managers and coaches.
Fair enough.
But that got me thinking.
If AI is not allowed to help manage games from the dugout, could it help build a better baseball team from the front office?
With the Mets sitting at 42-58 and in last place in the National League East, it is obvious that this roster is not working. Rather than continuing to shuffle pieces around the edges, I asked AI a simple question:
“If you were the GM of the New York Mets, what would your plan be for building a championship contender in 2027?”
The instructions were simple: keep the young core, trade veterans who could bring back value and target younger, controllable, MLB-ready talent instead of long-term lottery-ticket prospects.
The result was a blueprint focused on becoming younger, more athletic, deeper in the starting rotation and more financially flexible while still keeping a superstar in Queens.
Would every one of these trades happen? Probably not.
Could these teams and players represent the types of deals the Mets should explore? Absolutely.
The Untouchables
AI identified (as also noted by the Mets recently) the following players as the foundation of the next competitive Mets roster:
- Juan Soto
- Francisco Alvarez (AI only identified as a keeper)
- A.J. Ewing
- Carson Benge
- Nolan McLean
- Christian Scott
Everyone else could be discussed for the right return.
The AI Roster-Building Philosophy
Instead of tearing everything down and rebuilding with teenagers in the lower minor leagues, AI prioritized players who could help the Mets much sooner.
- Players between 22 and 27 years old
- Major League-ready talent
- Multiple years of team control
- Starting pitching with upside
- Position players who improve athleticism and lineup balance
- Players capable of contributing in 2027
The goal was not to collect the biggest names. It was to create a roster that fit together and could remain competitive for several seasons.
Trade No. 1: Seattle Mariners
Mets Trade
- Francisco Lindor, if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause
- Cash to help offset part of the remaining contract
AI Targets
Why AI Identified Seattle
Seattle has consistently needed another impact bat and veteran leader for its lineup. Lindor would give the Mariners a proven star who could immediately change the identity of their offense.
For the Mets, the return would address three major needs. Woo would provide a young, controllable starting pitcher, Young could become part of the future middle infield and Locklear could compete for the starting first-base job.
This would be the most controversial move of the entire plan. Trading Lindor would hurt, but AI viewed it as the quickest way to acquire multiple young players who could contribute immediately.
Trade No. 2: Chicago Cubs
Mets Trade
AI Targets
Why AI Identified Chicago
The Cubs would receive an established starting pitcher who could help them in a postseason race. The Mets would fill two important needs by adding a left-handed first baseman and another young starting pitcher.
Busch could provide power and balance behind Soto, while Brown would join a younger rotation built around McLean, Scott and other controllable arms.
Trade No. 3: Cleveland Guardians
Mets Trade
AI Targets
Why AI Identified Cleveland
Cleveland has built much of its success around pitching and run prevention. Adding a proven late-inning reliever could strengthen the back of its bullpen for a postseason push.
The Mets would receive another left-handed bat in Manzardo and a controllable pitcher in Cantillo. Both players would give the organization additional depth without forcing it to wait several years for the return to reach the majors.
Trade No. 4: Cincinnati Reds
Mets Trade
AI Targets
Why AI Identified Cincinnati
Cincinnati would add a proven offensive player capable of helping a young roster take another step forward.
The Mets would continue getting younger by adding Marte as a potential everyday third baseman and Lowder as another high-upside arm for the rotation.
Rather than simply collecting prospects, AI focused on players who could realistically compete for Major League roles by the beginning of the 2027 season.
Trade No. 5: Baltimore Orioles
Mets Trade
AI Target
Why AI Identified Baltimore
Baltimore has built one of baseball’s deepest collections of young position players. The Orioles may eventually need to use some of that depth to strengthen other areas of the roster.
Weaver would provide bullpen help, while the Mets would add a powerful young hitter who could become a first baseman, designated hitter or corner infielder.
Mayo would give New York another potential middle-of-the-order bat to build around alongside Soto, Alvarez, Ewing and Benge.
Projected 2027 Mets Lineup
| Batting Order | Position | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF | A.J. Ewing |
| 2 | RF | Carson Benge |
| 3 | LF | Juan Soto |
| 4 | 1B | Michael Busch |
| 5 | DH | Coby Mayo |
| 6 | 3B | Noelvi Marte |
| 7 | C | Francisco Alvarez |
| 8 | 2B | Cole Young |
| 9 | SS | Free Agent or Internal Option |
Projected 2027 Starting Rotation
- Bryan Woo
- Nolan McLean
- Christian Scott
- Ben Brown
- Rhett Lowder
Additional rotation and bullpen depth could include Joey Cantillo, Tyler Locklear in a position-player role and other internal pitchers who remain in the organization.
Why AI Built the Team This Way
AI did not attempt to create an All-Star team or simply collect the biggest names available. The objective was to build a roster with better balance, more youth and a clearer long-term direction.
The priorities were:
- Get younger
- Improve team athleticism
- Add controllable starting pitching
- Build the offense around Juan Soto
- Protect the organization’s best young players
- Create long-term payroll flexibility
Not every proposed trade would be accepted exactly as written. AI identified the teams, player profiles and roster fits that could make sense as part of a major Mets reset.
The Mets have invested too much money and accumulated too much talent to remain buried at the bottom of the National League East. Bringing back the same roster and expecting different results would not be a serious plan.
Something needs to change.
Now It Is Your Turn
Would you make these trades?
Would you trade Francisco Lindor, or should he remain part of the Mets’ foundation?
Which young players would you target to rebuild the 2027 roster?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how you would rebuild the New York Mets.
