Mets list five untouchables, seek trades before August 3

With the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaching on August 3, the struggling New York Mets have signaled to rival teams that they are open for business. The team, which holds a 41-57 record and sits far out of playoff contention, has reportedly designated only five players as untouchable: outfielders Juan Soto, Carson Benge, and AJ Ewing, along with pitchers Nolan McLean and Christian Scott. This stance places virtually every other player on the roster, including high-profile shortstop Francisco Lindor, as potential trade candidates.

Lindor, a five-time All-Star, represents the most complex and unlikely trade scenario. The 32-year-old is under contract through 2031 at $32 million per season and possesses full no-trade protection as a player with 10-and-5 rights. His 2026 season has been underwhelming, hampered by a calf injury that limited him to 40 games and resulted in a .210 batting average. While he finished in the top 10 of National League MVP voting in each of the previous four seasons, his current performance, age, and massive contract are significant obstacles to a deal. Team owner Steve Cohen recently acknowledged the difficulty of moving Lindor, and reports...