To refer to the Mets‘ offseason to this point as polarizing would be a huge understatement.
With New York trading Brandon Nimmo, letting Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso walk via free agency, and dealing Jeff McNeil, the core has been stripped down to the beams. Never before in the history of the franchise has something this drastic happened in one offseason with core players who were not only still effective, but beloved by the fans.
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The Diaz and Alonso departures happening in a 24-hour span resulted in most of the fan base being disoriented, and the slow pace of the offseason since then — not just for the Mets, but nearly every team — has left the mystery of what’s to come hanging in the air. In other words, it has been uncomfortable.
But that doesn’t mean David Stearns doesn’t have a plan.
Before exploring what that plan might entail, it’s important to dissect each of the above moves separately instead of attempting to lump them all together.
Dealing Nimmo to the Rangers ahead of his age-33 season and with five years left on his contract made baseball sense, especially with his offense and outfield defense declining. That the player coming back (second baseman Marcus Semien) wasn’t a Nimmo replacement means the trade is impossible to grade until the next outfield move comes.
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Alonso signing with the Orioles on a five-year contract for $155 million was a gut punch for many fans. But it’s hard to argue that the Mets extending that far on Alonso would’ve been a smart move. There is a serious issue without Alonso, though, and it’s the tough task of replacing his power.
McNeil departing was something you could see coming since the end of the 2025 season. And once New York added Semien, there was no longer a regular role for him.
I saved the Diaz departure for last because it’s the only one that left me flummoxed.
Edwin Diaz posing with Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes (right) and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (left) / Screenshot/Sportsnet LA
You can say that Diaz leaving to sign with the Dodgers was proof that he simply wanted to go there. But I reject that belief. Most of the time, players go where the most money is, and that’s what happened in this case. Anything Diaz said at his introductory news conference in Los Angeles is a waste to analyze, unless you were expecting him to put his new cap and jersey on and say he wished he was still a Met.
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The Mets being willing to extend to three years and $66 million for Diaz tells you they wanted to retain him, unless they were playing some weird game of chicken while daring him to leave. So that they lost him for relative pennies suggests that something went haywire communication-wise at the end of the negotiation or that the Mets balked at his ultimate price.
Pair the above with the fact that the signings of Jorge Polanco (who might be asked to play lots of first base)and Luke Weaver are the only big moves New York has made over the last month or so, and the result is this weird, uncomfortable limbo where much more has to be coming — but with it being fair for people to not totally trust the process until the end product is visible.
So, what should the plan be?
Find a top of the rotation starting pitcher
This was the Mets’ biggest need when the offseason started, and the rotation has still not been upgraded with the offseason two months old.
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To get this out of the way: The Mets don’t need an “ace,” which is a label thrown around too lightly. There are only a handful of true aces in the sport, and they are incredibly difficult to procure. If New York somehow lands Tarik Skubal from the Tigers? Great. If not, there are plenty of top of the rotation starters (someone who could slide into the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in a rotation) out there.
Via the trade market, the Mets could target someone like Nick Pivetta of the Padres, Freddy Peralta of the Brewers, or Joe Ryan of the Twins. New York has the prospect capital to get it done, but it takes two to tango.
Sep 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (not pictured) with the bases loaded in the fourth inning at American Family Field. / Benny Sieu – Imagn Images
In free agency, the Mets have recently been linked to Framber Valdez, who has been one of the best and most reliable pitchers in baseball over the last half decade.
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If Valdez can be had on a three- or four-year deal, it will be difficult to make a case against the Mets going out and getting him.
The Mets’ 2025 season was torpedoed due in large part to the rotation failing and Stearns not being decisive enough in addressing it (something he admitted after the season). The starting staff must be significantly bolstered this time around.
Add one legitimate starting outfielder
As things currently stand, New York’s outfield is Juan Soto in right field and question marks in both center and left.
With top prospect Carson Benge expected to contribute in a serious way this season, it’s fair to believe that only one legitimate outfielder should be added — with the other spot going to either Benge from the jump or to a placeholder until Benge is ready.
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Most of the focus has been on free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. Perhaps Tucker becomes a fit if no team is willing to give him the long-term deal he wants. And maybe Bellinger switches boroughs if the Yankees aren’t aggressive enough.
But if Tucker and Bellinger get enormous paydays, the trade market should be where the Mets turn to try to fill their outfield need.
It’s possible that the Red Sox will trade Jarren Duran, and the White Sox — barring something truly strange happening — will finally part with Luis Robert Jr.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs out of the dugout before the start of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. / Eric Canha – Imagn Images
Other options could include San Diego’s Ramon Laureano and an outside-the-box option like Arizona infielder Ketel Marte, who could theoretically slide to left field.
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Find a second serious bat
After the Mets downgraded the offense by dealing Nimmo and letting Alonso go as a free agent, they were left needing three legit bats.
They found one of them by signing Polanco, and will likely get another with whoever they bring in as a starting outfielder.
As far as that third bat?
The Mets could add a first baseman and make Polanco the regular DH.
They could sign someone like Eugenio Suarez and have him be the DH.
They could also get creative and do something like sign Alex Bregman to play third base and shift Brett Baty to first.
Bolster the bullpen
Along with Weaver and Williams, the Mets’ bullpen in 2026 is expected to include left-handers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley — though the start of Minter’s season could be a bit delayed following lat surgery this past May.
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Huascar Brazoban also figures to be in the bullpen mix, as do 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 is on a two-year minor league deal and missed the 2025 season).
But while there are plenty of possible options, the Mets need more certainty — especially at the back end.
Among the intriguing relievers available are Trevor Megill of the Brewers and Jeremiah Estrada of the Padres.
