What happened: The New York Mets are reportedly unlikely to deal pitching prospect Jonah Tong before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Despite his recent struggles with Triple-A Syracuse, the organization continues to view the 23-year-old starter as a premium asset. Any potential transaction involving him would require a return equivalent to a top-50 prospect.
Why it matters: Tong's development has stalled following a standout 2025 minor league campaign, complicating his immediate trajectory. The Mets, who sit at 39-54 this season, are actively evaluating pitching depth with club control. Retaining Tong signals a commitment to his long-term ceiling over pursuing marginal deadline upgrades.
By the numbers: Tong has posted a 5.90 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 38 walks across 61 innings this year. He has surrendered 13 home runs and allowed 16 earned runs over his last five starts.
What to watch: New York will finalize its deadline strategy as the front office navigates the pitching market. Tong will continue his developmental workload in the minor leagues.