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The Mets’ rotation was the engine behind a hot start in 2025, only for it to unravel and help sink their playoff hopes. Now, president of baseball operations David Stearns faces the task of stabilizing a staff that isn’t lacking in depth but is clouded by uncertainty — especially at the top.
It’s arguably the Mets’ most pressing concern this winter, even with first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz hitting free agency and the center-field job wide open.
Here are options Stearns could consider to address New York’s rotation issues:
1) Stick with the recent approach
Even with the Mets’ vast resources at his disposal, Stearns has avoided big splurges on free-agent starters since he took the reins, focusing instead on signing mid-tier veterans to shorter-term deals.
That approach worked well in 2024, when new additions Luis Severino (one year, $13 million) and Sean Manaea (two years, $28 million with an opt-out) combined for a 3.69 ERA over 63 starts. But it backfired last season.
Converted reliever Clay Holmes (three years, $38 million) was solid enough (12-8, 3.53 ERA), but Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million) and Manaea (three years, $75 million) missed time due to injuries and struggled after returning.
2) Aim for the top of the FA market
Last year’s misfires could lead Stearns to take a longer look at some of the marquee names available in free agency, but he’s still likely to proceed with caution in a market that lacks a surefire ace.
Stearns will also need to weigh the implications of the qualifying offer. The top four domestic starters available — Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez and Michael King — all received the offer and are likely to reject it. That means the Mets would have to surrender their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 Draft, as well as $1 million from their international signing bonus pool, to sign one of them.
3) Lean on the kids
Is it possible the Mets already have their answer internally? That’s something Stearns is surely considering after watching Nolan McLean (MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 overall prospect) pitch to a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 16 walks over 48 innings after making his big league debut in August.
New York’s collection of young talent could position the club for a big strike on the trade market should a high-end starter become available, with the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta, the Twins’ Joe Ryan, the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore and the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara among the names circulating in the rumor mill.
