The Mets' return from the All-Star break provided plenty of hoopla, but the three-game set against the Reds at Citi Field was not as celebratory.

The Cincinnati Reds lost in the finale but became just the fourth team to beat the New York Mets in a series at Citi Field this year.

And yet they sit just half a game out of first place in the NL East and hold the second wild-card spot, behind only the Cubs (-554 to make the playoffs, per Caesars). A plethora of pitcher injuries have left the Mets short on arms at times.

Juan Soto dashed home with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, beating a throw to the plate on Luis Torrens’ sharp grounder to second base, and the New York Mets avoided a three-game sweep with a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

St. Louis Cardinals' star Ryan Helsley has had his name in trade rumors for the last two seasons and it's picked up again.

“Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns used a similar strategy in the past. While with the Milwaukee Brewers, he broke in future top starters Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, and Freddy Peralta as relievers for teams in playoff hunts. However, there is more risk in going such a route compared to acquiring a proven reliever.”

The Mets are willing to trade from a young infield group that includes Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos, according to The Athletic. With Francisco Li

CINCINNATI — Taking two out of three games from the New York Mets is good. However, Sunday’s 3-2 loss for the Reds is a missed opportunity to earn a huge sweep of a good Mets team and further dent into the National League Wild Card race.

The New York Mets could be one of the more aggressive buyers at the trade deadline, and it might result in a huge trade with the Cleveland Guardians.