The New York Mets' offseason has taken quite a turn-and in a good way. What started with some eyebrow-raising departures, including Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker heading west to the Dodgers, has now shifted into a promising retooling effort. And with a couple of high-impact moves already in the books, the Mets are signaling they’re not done yet.
Let’s start with the headliner: Bo Bichette. The Mets landed one of the most dynamic bats in baseball, inking the All-Star shortstop to a three-year, $126 million deal.
It’s a hefty price tag, no doubt, but when you add a hitter of Bichette’s caliber to your lineup, you’re not just improving the offense-you’re reshaping it. Bichette brings a blend of contact, power, and clutch hitting that the Mets lineup has sorely lacked.
He’s the kind of player who can change the tone of a game with one swing, and his presence in Queens instantly upgrades the top of the order.
Then there’s the trade for Luis Robert Jr., a move that quietly might be just as impactful. Robert is a legitimate five-tool talent with Gold Glove defense in center and 30-homer power at the plate.
Pairing him with Bichette gives the Mets a much-needed injection of youth, athleticism, and star power. With those two in the fold, the outfield and the everyday lineup are starting to look like a real strength-not just in the NL East, but across the league.
But while the offense is rounding into form, the rotation remains a work in progress. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns made it clear this week that the club isn’t done shopping.
Speaking to reporters, Stearns reiterated that his “preference” is to add another starting pitcher before Spring Training. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a clear signal that the front office knows what’s missing.
Right now, the Mets have some intriguing young arms in the pipeline-names like Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat have potential-but they don’t yet have that true ace to anchor the staff. And in a division loaded with frontline starters, that’s a problem.
So where could the Mets turn? Freddy Peralta of the Brewers makes a lot of sense as a trade candidate.
He’s got swing-and-miss stuff and a team-friendly contract, the kind of pitcher who could slot in near the top of the rotation right away. If the Mets prefer to test the free-agent waters, names like Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen would bring proven production and playoff experience.
MacKenzie Gore could be another option, though prying him away from the Nationals would be tricky given the intra-division dynamics. And then there’s the dream scenario: Tarik Skubal.
The Tigers’ ace has been one of the most dominant arms in the league and is under team control, but Detroit’s asking price is sky-high-and for good reason. Pulling off a deal for Skubal would take a massive haul, and there’s no indication Detroit is ready to move him.
Still, the takeaway here is simple: the Mets aren’t standing pat. Despite some early offseason losses, they’ve rebounded with two major additions and have their sights set on more. Stearns is keeping the door open for another move, and if the right arm becomes available, don’t be surprised if New York makes another splash.
For a team trying to climb back into contention, the message is clear-this front office is pushing forward, and the Mets aren’t done building yet.