Mets’ Jonah Tong Sparks Intense Trade Frenzy: Which Contenders Are Ready to Gamble Big?

When it comes to the Mets’ trade chatter, one name that’s really been buzzing around is Jonah Tong. At 22, this right-handed pitching prospect has swiftly become a focal point as the Mets actively explore the trade landscape. According to Jon Heyman from the New York Post, Tong isn’t just on the radar—he’s highly sought after. The Mets value him greatly, yet they’re open to discussions, which speaks volumes about their strategy and the weight this young pitcher carries in their organization.

But it’s not just Tong catching eyes. Nolan McLean, another right-handed arm, is reportedly off-limits, and outfielder Carson Benge is nearly in that untouchable tier too. Both McLean and Benge top Joe DeMayo’s top 30 Mets prospects list for the offseason, with Tong sitting close behind at fourth place, just trailing infielder and center fielder Jett Williams. It’s a deep pool of talent the Mets are weighing in their trade talks—each player representing a significant piece of the club’s future.

Tong’s journey this past season has been a rollercoaster. Starting at Double-A Binghamton, he climbed up to Triple-A Syracuse by August, and made his MLB debut by month’s end. That debut was promising—six strikeouts, no walks, and only one earned run allowed in a high-scoring Mets win over Miami. Still, the rest of his initial big league starts brought mixed results, culminating in a tough outing against the Cubs. The word from DeMayo is clear: with more seasoning—especially honing command and adding a third or fourth pitch—Tong’s ceiling is sky-high. Without it… well, there’s some risk he might wind up in the bullpen.

The Mets’ handling of Tong and their top prospects will be fascinating to watch as trade discussions unfold. It’s a delicate balance between building for now and planning for years ahead—and Tong’s role in that puzzle is becoming impossible to ignore. LEARN MORE

Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong is reportedly a top player to know as New York navigates the trade market.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Saturday that the 22-year-old right-hander “is highly coveted in trade talks” with the Mets valuing Tong “highly” but “listening.”

Fellow right-hander Nolan McLean, meanwhile, “is viewed as off-limits” with outfielder Carson Benge “close to that,” Heyman added.

McLean and Benge are the highest-ranked prospects in Joe DeMayo‘s offseason top 30 for SNY. Tong is fourth behind infielder/center fielder Jett Williams.

Tong went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA in five starts this past season. He rose through the Mets’ farm system, starting the year with Double-A Binghamton before elevating to Triple-A Syracuse in August and New York by the end of the month.

Tong’s MLB debut on Aug. 29 against the Miami Marlins was a 19-9 win for the Mets. He allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out six and walking none.

His next four starts were mixed. Tong’s final outing, a 10-3 loss at the Chicago Cubs, saw him last two innings while surrendering five runs on seven hits with two walks to one strikeout.

“Tong could use a little more minor league time, but with improvement in command and refinement of a third and maybe fourth pitch, the sky’s the limit,” DeMayo wrote. “Without that development, there is a non-zero chance for some reliever risk.”