The New York Mets made a sharp move to clear out an aging arm. They traded right-hander Huascar Brazobán to the Chicago White Sox. Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin, two minor league pitchers, are returned by the deal. This swap drops the risk of an older player fading while adding fresh blood. Per Amazin Avenue, the Mets sent the reliever away in the early morning hours. The team got a pair of young arms in return. This is a classic win-now pivot that actually looks toward next year.
The Age Problem Was Real
Relievers are tricky. They can be great one year and gone the next. Brazobán just turned 36 and will be 37 in 2027. That is a tough spot for a bullpen guy. The Mets saw the writing on the wall. They had three years of control left but knew the drop-off could come fast. Amazin Avenue noted that Brazobán had a four-year detour in the minors before he made the bigs in 2023. His path was not normal. He had a bad 2024 season but bounced back strong in 2025 and 2026. His 2026 stats were huge. He posted a 162 ERA+ and a 2.56 ERA. Those numbers are elite. But the age factor made the trade necessary. The Mets could not bet on a 37-year-old arm staying sharp.
Two Young Arms for One Old One
The return package has two parts. Gabe Davis is the bigger name. He was a fifth-round pick in 2025. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the White Sox 18th best prospect. Baseball America puts him at 20. He is 6-foot-9 and throws hard. His fastball sits 94 to 97 mph and touches 100. He has a great slider too. According to reports, his top weapon is a tight, upper-80s power slider. It can reach 92 mph and acts like a wipeout pitch. Davis dominated High-A ball but struggled after his call-up to Double-A. The other piece is Zach Franklin. Drafted from the University of Missouri in 2023, he serves as a relief pitcher. He has short arm action that helps with deception. Franklin throws a split-change and a sinker. He struggled a bit in Triple-A this season but still strikes guys out at a high rate. The Mets took a gamble on these two guys.
A Smart Play for Queens
This trade shows the front office is thinking ahead. They did not wait for Brazobán to lose value. They moved him while he was still good. The White Sox get a proven arm for their pen. The Mets get a chance at two younger pitchers who could help later. It is a clean swap. The Mets now have less volatility in their bullpen for 2027. They also have more depth in their system. This is how you build a team. You trade the known for the unknown. The risk is on the White Sox now. The Mets got a fair deal for a 37-year-old pitcher. The fans should be happy with the move. It keeps the team young and ready. Do you think Davis or Franklin will make the 2027 roster?
