Reevaluating the Mets’ goals and priorities as the offseason of seismic change is in full swing

To refer to the Dishes‘ offseason at this point, because polarizing would be a huge understatement.

With trading in New York Brandon Nimmoleaving Edwin Diaz And Pete Alonso walk via free agency and negotiate Jeff McNeilthe core was dismantled down to the beams. Never before in franchise history has something so drastic happened in an offseason with core players who were not only still effective, but beloved by fans.

Advertisement

The departures of Diaz and Alonso occurring within a 24-hour period disoriented most fans, and the slow offseason since then – not just for the Mets, but almost every team – has left the mystery of what’s to come up in the air. In other words, it’s been uncomfortable.

But that doesn’t mean David Stearns has no plan.

Before we explore what this plan might entail, it’s important to dissect each of the above moves separately instead of trying to lump them all together.

Dealing Nimmo to the Rangers before his age-33 season and with five years remaining on his contract made baseball sense, especially with the decline of his offense and defense on the field. That the returning player (second baseman Marcus Semien) was not a replacement for Nimmo, meaning the trade is impossible to note until the next outfield move arrives.

Advertisement

Alonso signing with the Orioles to a five-year, $155 million contract was a blow to many fans. But it’s hard to argue that the Mets extending this far on Alonso would have been a smart move. There is, however, a serious problem without Alonso, and that is the difficult task of replacing his power.

McNeil’s departure was something that could be predicted since the end of the 2025 season. And once New York added Semien, there was no longer a regular role for him.

I saved Diaz’s departure for last because it was the only one that left me perplexed.

You could say that Diaz leaving to sign with the Dodgers was proof that he just wanted to go. But I reject this belief. Most of the time, players go where the most money is, and that’s what happened in this case. Everything Diaz said at his introductory press conference in Los Angeles is a waste to parse, unless you expect him to put on his new cap and jersey and say he wishes he was still a Met.

Advertisement

The Mets being willing to extend up to three years and $66 million for Diaz tells you they wanted to retain him, unless they played a weird game of chicken by daring him to leave. The fact that they lost him for a few relative pennies suggests that something went wrong in terms of communication late in the negotiation or that the Mets balked at his final price.

Combine the above with the fact that the signatures of Jorge Polanco (who might be asked to play a lot of first base) and Luke Weaver are the only big changes New York has made in the last month, and the result is this strange, uncomfortable void where a lot more needs to happen — but it’s fair that people don’t fully trust the process until the final product is visible.

So what should the plan be?

Find a starting pitcher at the top of the rotation

This was the Mets’ biggest need going into the offseason, and the rotation still hasn’t been improved with the offseason two months old.

Advertisement

To get this out of the way: the Mets don’t need an “ace,” which is too light a label. There are only a handful of true aces in the sport, and they are incredibly difficult to come by. If New York somehow lands Tarik Skubal Tigers? Great. Otherwise, there are plenty of top-of-the-rotation starters (someone who could slide into the #1 or #2 spot in a rotation).

Via the trade market, the Mets could target someone like Nick Pivetta Padres, Freddy Peralta Brewers, or Joe Ryan of the Twins. New York has the prospective capital to make it happen, but it takes two to tango.

In free agency, the Mets have recently been linked to Framber Valdezwho has been one of the best and most reliable pitchers in baseball over the past half-decade.

Advertisement

If Valdez can be signed to a three- or four-year deal, it will be a tough case to make against the Mets going for him.

The Mets’ 2025 season was torpedoed largely because of the rotation’s failure and Stearns not being decisive enough to fix it (something he admitted after the season). This time, the starting team must be considerably strengthened.

Add a legitimate starting outfielder

As it stands, New York’s outfield is Juan Soto in right field and question marks in center and left.

With the best prospect Carson Benge expected to contribute seriously this season, it’s fair to believe that only one legitimate outfielder should be added – with the other spot either going to Benge from the jump or a placeholder until Benge is ready.

Advertisement

The focus was on free agents Kyle Tucker And Cody Bellinger. Maybe Tucker will become a contender if no team is willing to offer him the long-term deal he wants. And maybe Bellinger will change neighborhoods if the Yankees aren’t aggressive enough.

But if Tucker and Bellinger get huge salaries, the trade market is where the Mets should turn to try to fill their on-field needs.

It’s possible the Red Sox could trade Jarren Duranand the White Sox – unless something really strange happens – will finally part ways with Luis Robert Jr..

Other options could include the one in San Diego Ramon Laureano and an original option as the Arizona infielder Ketel Martewhich could theoretically slide to left field.

Advertisement

Find a serious second bat

After the Mets degraded the offense by dealing Nimmo and letting Alonso leave as a free agent, they needed three legitimate bats.

They found one in signing Polanco, and will likely get another with whoever they draft as their starting outfielder.

As for that third bat?

The Mets could add a first baseman and make Polanco the regular DH.

They could sign someone like Eugenio Suárez and have him be the DH.

They could also get creative and do something like sign Alex Bregman playing third base and changing gears Brett Baty to the first.

Strengthen the bullpen

With Weaver and Williams, the Mets’ 2026 bullpen should include lefties AJ Minter And Brooks Raley – although the start of Minter’s season could be delayed a little following surgery last May.

Advertisement

Huascar Brazoban Also in the bullpen group, as are the hard-throwing prospects Dylan Ross And Ryan Lambert.

Other relievers who could compete for roles include Jonathan Pintaro (who made his big league debut last season) and Adbert Alzolay (who signed a two-year minor league contract and missed the 2025 season).

But while there are plenty of possible options, the Mets need more certainty, especially on defense.

Intriguing relievers available include Trevor Megill Brewers and Jeremy Estrada of the Padres.