​The Mets had three days to escape the purgatory that has been their 2026 season.The first half came to a calamitous finish on Sunday when the Mets gave up a two-run lead in the ninth inning and went on to drop a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox in 10 innings.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Mets enter the season’s stretch run at 17 games under .500, with their once-lofty hopes all but washed away by severe underperformance for a second straight season.There is not much hope when the Mets open their second half against the rival Phillies on Thursday night at Citi Field, but there is a level of intrigue within the team’s ranks over the season’s final 65 games.Here are the seven most compelling storylines for the Mets over the final two and a half months of 2026:New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) has a mound visit with starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves on June 14, 2026, at Citi Field.Major League Baseball’s upcoming trade deadline appears to be a seller’s market. There are 23 teams in contention for a playoff spot, with 11 clubs on the outside in the American and National League within four games of a postseason spot.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat leaves the Mets in somewhat of a position of power as they look to retool for the future. Many of those teams could be clamoring for pitching, and the Mets have that in spades, particularly in the bullpen.Among the expiring deals that are the likeliest to move, left-handers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter both have ERAs of 2.04 or better. In the rotation, teams could choose to take a flyer on the track record of Freddy Peralta, despite his struggles to a 5-8 record and 4.66 ERA.A few other players, like Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver, could be harder to deal, given their success this season, plus the presence of an additional year of team control. But they could also net the biggest return.New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (3) reacts after a double against the Chicago Cubs on June 24, 2026, at Citi Field.At least the future appears bright in the Mets outfield, led by the promise shown by Benge and Ewing in the first half.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSince stumbling out of the gate in his first month in the major leagues, Benge is slashing .289/.353/.445 with nine home runs, 31 RBI and 43 runs since the calendar turned to May. And now, he figures to be in a high run-producing spot in the lineup after driving in 37 runs. He could flirt with a 20-20 season, with 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases at the break.Ewing is now settling into the leadoff spot against right-handers while bargaining for everyday reps with his recent success against southpaws. The 21-year-old has been unflappable in his first major league action, producing a .276/.350/.439 slash line with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 27 runs and nine strikeouts in 57 games.While Luis Robert Jr. might be nearing a return from herniated disc in his back, his injury showcased what t