The New York Mets have made some exciting moves this offseason, but one glaring weakness remains: their bullpen. While the team has added talent in other areas, the relievers have yet to bring the high-octane velocity the Mets desperately need to compete in a stacked National League. Enter Just Baseball’s Joe Browne, who has proposed a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Rockies that could completely transform the Mets’ relief corps.
According to Browne, the Mets could send Mark Vientos and Douglas Orellana to Colorado in exchange for two of baseball’s hardest-throwing arms: Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen. If executed, this deal could inject the Mets’ bullpen with elite speed and power, something they simply don’t have enough of right now. “One thing that the Mets lack in their currently constructed bullpen is high-velocity arms,” Browne wrote. While the addition of Luis Garcia addresses that need to an extent—he averaged 96.9 mph on his fastball in 2025—the fact that he’s 39 years old raises legitimate concerns about whether he can maintain that heat in 2026. Vodnik and Halvorsen, however, would bring firepower that could make opposing hitters sweat every inning. Vodnik’s fastball averaged a scorching 98.7 mph, while Halvorsen was the hardest thrower in baseball last season, touching 100 mph consistently.
Vodnik had arguably his best season in the big leagues in 2025, posting a 3.02 ERA over 52 appearances while pitching in a notoriously hitter-friendly home park. His fastball velocity ranked in the 97th percentile league-wide, and his ability to generate ground balls ranked him in the 92nd percentile—numbers that make him a nightmare for opposing hitters. Plus, he’s under club control through 2029, giving the Mets a long-term weapon in their bullpen. Halvorsen, despite struggling with a 4.99 ERA in 42 games last year, has electric stuff that could flourish in a new environment. He’s under team control through 2030, making him a potential cornerstone for the Mets’ relief corps for years to come.
On the flip side, Vientos could be expendable for New York. With the arrival of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, his path to consistent playing time is now uncertain. After a breakout 2024 season (.266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs and a .998 OPS during the postseason), Vientos struggled mightily last year, hitting just .702 OPS. A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to reignite his career—and for the Mets, moving him could mean acquiring elite bullpen arms that instantly make them more dangerous.
This isn’t just a trade proposal; it’s a potential game-changer for the Mets as they look to compete at the highest level. Imagine a bullpen led by Vodnik and Halvorsen, hurling triple-digit heaters late in games, shutting down opponents, and giving the Mets’ offense a chance to win every night. Could this be the missing piece to New York’s championship puzzle? Only time will tell—but one thing is clear: this proposed deal would instantly make the Mets one of the most fearsome bullpens in baseball.