Mets fall to Giants 6-3 on July 25 as Kodai Senga struggles. Francisco Lindor hits his 150th HR, but the loss highlights the team's trade deadline needs.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those frustrating nights by the Bay. The New York Mets, despite their perch atop the NL East, dropped the series opener to the San Francisco Giants 6-3. A rare off-night for Kodai Senga and a potent Giants offense were too much to overcome, but the loss served as a stark reminder of the work still to be done as the July 31 trade deadline creeps ever closer.
With his solo shot in the 6th, Francisco Lindor became the first shortstop in Mets history to reach the 150 home run milestone, a bright spot in an otherwise tough night.
Kodai Senga just didn't seem to have his signature stuff on Friday, getting tagged for five runs in 4.2 innings. The big blow was a three-run homer by Giants catcher Patrick Bailey in the third that put the Mets in a hole they couldn't climb out of. While the offense battled, with Pete Alonso driving in a run with a 2-for-4 night and Francisco Lindor launching his milestone shot, it wasn't enough. On the bright side, the bullpen was stellar, allowing just one run over 3.1 innings, showing the depth the team possesses even on a tough night.
That need for pitching was underscored by reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks were scouting the Mets' farm system. While the Mets aren't targeting Eugenio Suárez, the activity confirms the front office is deep in talks to bolster the roster. With Senga's start highlighting the need for rotation depth and the bullpen being taxed, expect the Mets to be aggressive in pursuing pitching and potentially another outfield bat before the July 31 deadline.
The good news is the Mets have the assets to make a deal. Top prospects like shortstop Jett Williams (.292, 12 HR, 28 SB at Double-A) and hard-throwing pitchers Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean (both with sub-3.00 ERAs in the upper minors) are turning heads across the league. Their continued dominance provides both valuable trade chips and a glimpse of homegrown help on the horizon. This pipeline was further strengthened with the official announcement of the 2025 draft class, a 20-player group headlined by first-round RHP Mitch Voit.
One loss in late July doesn't define a season, especially when you're still leading the division. But it does sharpen the focus. The Mets have clear needs, an active front office, and a wealth of young talent to either trade or develop. With Edwin Díaz expected to start a rehab assignment next week and two more games to salvage the series in San Francisco, the path forward is clear. Now, it's all about execution—both on the field and in the front office.
