Mets, Braves in Pivetta Pitching Pursuit

0:00It's April 7th. Welcome to New York Mets News today, AI Power Coverage of your squad. Even though the MLB trade deadline is months away, teams are already scouting starting pictures, the hottest commodity out there. The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves top the list of squads desperate for rotation help, and one name popping up for both is San Diego Padres. Right-Hander Nick Povetta. Povetta just had his best year ever, in 2025, dropping a 2.87 ERA over 181.2 innings. His stuff has always graded elite, so this breakout was no shock, making him a prime target if the Padres decide to deal. Padres fans my cringe, but San Diego sits outside the playoff picture with just a 1.5% shot at catching the Dodgers in the NL. West and 22% odds overall. With a potential team sale looming, shedding payroll like Povetta's contract makes sense for a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Padres have a history of head scratching deadline moves that don't always fit their spot in the standings,

1:04but their current slide. Could flip that script this time around. Both the Mets and Braves chasing the same arms sets up some intense NL East rivalry at the deadline, so keep an eye on who blinks first in those. Pitching pursuits.