Owner Steve Cohen is with Juan Soto and the team is among the favorites to sign the slugger to a long-term deal this winter. With about $180 million coming off their books, the Mets could add any number of free agents. But they might also be able to snag some top talent on the trade market.

Evaluating the potential hauls that the Mets might receive for trading away veteran infielder Jeff McNeil, Tim Boyle of FanSideda trade idea that would land three-time All-Star starter Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners.

“The Mariners and Mets seem like the most natural fit for a deal because of Seattle’s abundance of pitchers,” Boyle wrote. “It would take some younger talent to pry away one of the more talented arms in their rotation. Luis Castillo, the veteran and highest paid one on the roster, is one of the more viable targets. McNeil and some prospect capital for him? One can dream.”

The idea of landing Castillo in exchange for McNeil and some future talent might seem like a dream, but it could appeal to Seattle as a way to escape some of their financial commitment.

Castillo is entering the third year of a five-year, $108 million contract and some of the luster could be wearing off. He was hit for a 3.64 ERA in 2024, his highest mark since 2021. Given their surplus of talented arms, the Mariners might be open to moving the near-$75 million they owe Castillo to the Mets, particularly if it lands some enticing future talent in return.

And McNeil could play a bigger role for the Mariners than he would for the Mets. The Mariners had some serious offensive issues last season and have little to lose by hoping for a return to form for the veteran infielder.

“At his best, McNeil is an amazing match for the Mariners,” Boyle added. “This is a team that struggled to hit for average last year. Their .224 team average was only better than the Chicago White Sox… A league high 1,625 strikeouts also helped waste away a productive year from the pitching staff. When McNeil is at his best, he’s making contact, hitting for average, and even supplementing the roster in a variety of ways.”

As the Mets scour the free-agent market for some impact additions, they might find a trade opportunity that adds some critical rotation help by flipping McNeil. It might be a longshot, but there could be a win-win between New York and Seattle this winter.