Mets’ Offseason Puzzle: Why Harrison Bader, Nolan McLean, and Cody Bellinger Are All Part of the Big Picture
The New York Mets are entering a pivotal offseason - not just in terms of roster construction, but in defining the direction of a franchise that’s trying to turn potential into postseason relevance. With holes in the outfield, questions in the rotation, and a market full of opportunity, the Mets have options. And a few names - Harrison Bader, Nolan McLean, and Cody Bellinger - could be central to how this winter shakes out in Queens.
Harrison Bader: The Glove That Could Anchor Center Field
If the Mets are serious about tightening up their outfield defense - and all signs say they should be - then a reunion with Harrison Bader makes a whole lot of sense. Bader’s offensive profile is a bit of a rollercoaster.
He hit 17 home runs last season and posted a 122 wRC+, which looks great on the surface. But dig a little deeper, and there are some warning lights flashing.
His strikeout rate ticked up, and his expected metrics didn’t quite match the production. That kind of gap tends to catch up with players eventually.
Still, Bader’s value doesn’t hinge entirely on the bat. Defensively, he’s elite - and that’s not hyperbole.
He brings Gold Glove-caliber range, instincts, and consistency in center field, which is exactly what the Mets need right now. With Juan Soto’s glove being more of a work-in-progress and Jeff McNeil potentially on the trade block, there’s a clear void in the outfield when it comes to defensive reliability.
Bader could fill that gap immediately.
He’d also serve as a buffer for top prospect Carson Benge, who’s not quite ready for the everyday grind at the big-league level. Letting Benge develop at his own pace while Bader holds down center could be a win-win, both short- and long-term.
A two-year deal in the $25-30 million range would be a calculated swing - maybe not a home run at the plate, but a solid double in terms of defensive stability and clubhouse presence. For a team chasing October, sometimes the floor matters just as much as the ceiling.
Nolan McLean: The In-House Arm Who Might Be the Answer
The Mets have been linked to several starting pitchers this offseason, but one of their most intriguing arms might already be in the building. Nolan McLean, just 24 years old, quietly put together one of the most dominant small-sample performances in the league. A 2.06 ERA, a ground-ball rate north of 61%, and strikeout stuff that jumps off the screen - it’s the kind of profile that makes you sit up and take notice.
McLean’s sinker is already a legitimate weapon, and his curveball has been borderline unhittable. That combination alone gives him a strong foundation to build on.
He’s not a finished product - the sweeper needs refinement, he gives up too much hard contact at times, and he’s not yet generating the chase rates you’d want from a top-end starter. But the tools are there.
The foundation is there. And maybe most importantly, the Mets seem to believe the ceiling is there too.
With Devin Williams already in the fold and the front office still in talks with Edwin Díaz, the Mets are clearly leaning into the idea of a dominant bullpen. If McLean can anchor a young, cost-controlled rotation by 2026, that opens the door for a different kind of roster construction - one that doesn’t require emptying the farm system for a mid-tier starter.
Rather than chasing a high-priced arm, the Mets may be ready to hand the ball to their homegrown flamethrower and let his development chart the course.
Cody Bellinger: Big Bat, Bigger Decision
The Mets’ outfield plans took a sharp turn when they moved Brandon Nimmo, and now they’re firmly in the mix for one of the biggest names on the free agent market: Cody Bellinger. And make no mistake - Bellinger checks a lot of boxes.
Last season, he delivered 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a 4.9 WAR campaign while playing in the Bronx. That’s not just production - that’s impact. He brings left-handed power, postseason experience, and the kind of defensive versatility that fits perfectly alongside Soto and, eventually, Benge.
But the fit comes with a price. Bellinger’s market is heating up fast, and the Mets are also juggling significant pitching needs.
Committing long-term money to a bat - even one as dynamic as Bellinger - could limit flexibility elsewhere. It’s the classic front office dilemma: do you go all-in on the lineup now, or keep your financial powder dry for future pitching moves?
What’s clear is that Bellinger would reshape the Mets’ offense overnight. He’d bring balance, protection for Soto, and a middle-of-the-order presence that could push the team from promising to dangerous. Whether the timing is right - and whether the Mets are ready to make that kind of splash - will say a lot about how aggressively they’re aiming for contention in 2026.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just an offseason of transactions for the Mets. It’s a moment of truth.
Do they lean into internal development with players like Nolan McLean? Do they add proven veterans like Bader and Bellinger to stabilize and elevate the roster?
Or do they try to thread the needle - building for the future while staying competitive now?
Whatever path they choose, the next few months will go a long way in shaping what the Mets look like not just in 2026, but for years to come.