The New York Mets’ offseason hasn’t exactly lit up the hot stove the way fans hoped it would. They've been active, sure-but not in the headline-grabbing, game-changing way that moves the needle for a team trying to reassert itself in the National League. And yet, there’s a sense that the Mets might just be laying the groundwork for something bigger.
That something could very well involve Alex Bregman.
Let’s start with the move that’s already gone down: Jeff McNeil is headed to Oakland. The Mets shipped out the 2022 National League batting champ in a deal that, on the surface, looks like a teardown. But dig a little deeper and it starts to feel more like a chess move-clearing the board for a major piece.
McNeil’s departure isn’t shocking when you look at the infield logjam the Mets have been dealing with. They’ve got bodies, but not a lot of clarity.
McNeil’s bat had lost its edge in recent seasons, and while there’s excitement around prospects like Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, neither has locked down a spot. Add in the up-and-down performances from Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, and it’s clear this group needs a stabilizing force-someone who can anchor the infield both at the plate and with the glove.
That’s where Bregman comes in.
The Astros third baseman is arguably the best infield upgrade available this winter. He brings elite defense, high-contact hitting, and postseason pedigree. And with McNeil out, the Mets may be positioning themselves to make a serious run at him-especially if they move Vientos next.
Vientos is reportedly on the block, and the timing makes sense. After a promising 2024 campaign where he mashed 27 homers and posted a 132 wRC+, he took a step back in 2025.
His power dipped, his production fell to league average, and his defense at third base became more of a liability than an asset. That’s a tough combo for a team that’s clearly putting an emphasis on run prevention this offseason.
If the Mets are serious about upgrading defensively and adding a reliable right-handed bat to pair with Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, Bregman fits the bill. He’s not Pete Alonso in terms of raw power, but he brings a different kind of value-high-contact hitting, leadership, and a glove that can save runs in bunches.
And that brings us to the bigger picture: the Mets and Red Sox, two teams that both missed out on Alonso, are now circling the same target. The Mets pivoted to Jorge Polanco, the Red Sox traded for Willson Contreras.
Solid moves, but neither fills the void Alonso would have. That’s why Bregman is suddenly so pivotal.
He’s not just a nice addition-he’s the kind of player who can reshape the middle of a lineup and stabilize a shaky infield.
But here’s the catch: timing is everything.
If the Mets move Vientos before locking in Bregman, they risk opening the door for Boston to swoop in. The Red Sox have been lurking, and a reunion with Bregman would make a lot of sense for them-especially if Craig Breslow decides it’s time to move with urgency.
So far, that urgency hasn’t shown up. But if it does, the Mets could find themselves watching their Plan A walk out the door.
Right now, New York is walking a fine line. They’ve made some moves that suggest a bigger plan is in motion, but they haven’t struck yet.
If Bregman is that strike, they’ll need to act decisively-and soon. Because if they don’t, Boston might just beat them to the punch.