A yr in the past, the Mets appeared poised to change into a menace to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Nationwide League crown. Now, you can make the argument that they’re farther away from contending than they had been final winter.
It’s not that the Mets have to utterly overhaul their roster, however David Stearns and his crew have a heavy load to elevate within the coming months. Right here’s a have a look at the Mets’ largest wants for 2026 because the offseason begins.
STARTING PITCHING
Returning starters: LHP David Peterson, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Kodai Senga, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Nolan McLean, RHP Jonah Tong, RHP Brandon Sproat, RHP Christian Scott
Injured: RHP Tylor Megill (UCL surgical procedure), RHP Frankie Montas (UCL surgical procedure)
The Mets’ beginning rotation amassed 11.4 fWAR in 2025, thirteenth in baseball. That quantity was largely bolstered by the primary 70 video games of the season when the Mets led the league in total ERA (2.89) and beginning pitching ERA (2.78). The workers had the best ground-ball out price in baseball, getting almost 50% of their outs on the bottom.
They maintained that ground-ball price all through the remainder of the season. The issue was that the protection was uncovered and the starters threw fewer and fewer innings. Over their subsequent 92 video games, the rotation misplaced Senga, Megill and Griffin Canning. Frankie Montas returned, solely to be demoted to the bullpen earlier than ending up proper again the place he began the season — on the injured record.
From June 14 via the remainder of the season, Mets starters mixed to throw solely 423 2/3 innings, the fewest in baseball, whereas posting a 5.31 ERA. The membership was compelled to name up its three finest pitching prospects in McLean, Tong and Sproat.
Whereas McLean appears like a bonafide frontline starter already, Tong, 22, nonetheless has to determine how you can make the most of all of his pitches, and McLean has to determine how you can go deeper into outings. It wouldn’t be a shock to see one or each begin the season within the minor leagues, particularly with Christian Scott set to return after Tommy John surgical procedure.
It’s powerful to know what to anticipate from Peterson, Manaea and Senga, although it’s affordable to count on Holmes to take a step ahead as a starter. They’ve so as to add to this group, and the membership seem keen to take action by bringing in at the very least one pitcher with frontline credentials. The Mets are more likely to hit the commerce marketplace for beginning pitching. Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers ace that’s set to be shopped this winter, is the highest candidate in the marketplace, however right-hander Sandy Alcantara is an intriguing choice if the Mets can pry him away from the Miami Marlins.
CENTER FIELD RUN PRODUCTION
Returning outfielders: Brandon Nimmo (left), Juan Soto (proper), Tyrone Taylor, Jeff McNeil (Utility), Luisangel Acuña (utility)
If solely Tyrone Taylor may hit persistently. It’s no secret the Mets struggled to get run manufacturing out of their heart fielders final season, as is evidenced by the group’s 71 wRC+ (a stat quantifying offensive worth by measuring runs created). Defensively, the Mets rated among the many finest in heart discipline, however the lack of offensive manufacturing created a gap within the backside of the lineup.
Cedric Mullins wasn’t the reply, and Acuña and McNeil aren’t the solutions full-time, although they definitely supply some insulation on the place. Prospects Carson Benge or Jett Williams may assist, however the Mets are penciling them in for later within the season.
Cody Bellinger, coming off of a robust season with the Yankees, may very well be an choice. Toronto’s Daulton Varsho may not have the strongest arm in heart discipline, however he may very well be a commerce goal since he matches the hard-nosed fashion of play the Mets like. Might the Mets sway Byron Buxton to waive his no-trade clause? They had been on the commerce deadline, however he wished to remain within the Twin Cities.
An alternative choice is a reunion with Harrison Bader, although there are many query marks about his means to remain wholesome and produce recurrently.
POWER PLATOON
Returning DH candidates: Mark Vientos, Jeff McNeil
Starling Marte and Jesse Winker are each free brokers. Lately, the Mets have gone with a platoon system at DH, and regardless of Vientos and McNeil being right- and left-handed, respectively, it’s unlikely McNeil sees a lot time within the DH spot given his defensive versatility. Vientos, a 3rd baseman, regressed offensively and defensively final season, which may imply the Mets see him extra as a DH shifting ahead.
One factor is for positive: The Mets can’t depend on changing Pete Alonso’s manufacturing on the plate or at first base with Vientos. Possibly they re-sign Alonso with the settlement to section him into extra of a DH function whereas ready for Ryan Clifford to develop. It doesn’t seem doubtless that the Mets will transfer Vientos from third to first full-time, and determining enjoying time for a gaggle of younger infielders is proving to be difficult.
Regardless of the case could also be, the Mets want some pop and safety for Soto. Alonso continues to be the most effective candidate in the marketplace for that job, whether or not he’s enjoying first base or DH.
THIRD BASE
Returning gamers: Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio
My scorching take for the new range season is that the Mets ought to attempt to signal free agent Alex Bregman. A high quality third baseman who can produce runs and discipline his place at a excessive stage, Bregman, who not too long ago opted out of his contract with the Boston Purple Sox, has a championship pedigree and powerful management qualities. Bringing in Bregman wouldn’t resolve the enjoying time downside for Vientos, Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, however rotating the 4 of them wasn’t efficient final season. Bregman offers the Mets immediate credibility.
THE TRUMPETS
Edwin Diaz stays among the finest closers in baseball, and re-tooling the remainder of the bullpen gained’t be as troublesome as discovering a better. The Mets ought to make each effort potential to re-sign Diaz. Issuing him a qualifying supply may dissuade groups from signing him away since these carry draft decide compensation.
