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.

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.