The Mets didn’t land Kyle Tucker, and that stings. There’s no sugarcoating it-Tucker was one of the biggest bats on the market this offseason, and the Dodgers scooped him up with a blockbuster deal that left Queens watching from the sidelines.
For a team looking to take the next step, missing out on a player of Tucker’s caliber is a tough break. He would’ve brought elite offensive production, a steady glove, and a long-term anchor to the outfield.
But under David Stearns, the Mets aren’t in the business of sulking. They’re in the business of building.
And the front office didn’t waste time pivoting to Plan B. That plan?
Bo Bichette.
Bo Bichette Brings the Bat-and the Balance
The addition of Bichette isn’t just a consolation prize-it’s a statement. He’s one of the premier contact hitters in the game, and his arrival immediately upgrades the infield both offensively and defensively. He brings energy, consistency, and a high-contact approach that balances out a lineup that’s had its share of boom-or-bust tendencies in recent years.
With Bichette joining a group that already includes Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, the Mets’ infield suddenly looks like one of the most dynamic in the National League. But the job’s not done. Not even close.
Still Missing: An Outfielder and an Ace
The Mets have a championship-caliber core, but they’re still a couple of pieces short of being a true October threat. The two biggest holes? Outfield depth-and a top-of-the-rotation arm.
That’s where Cody Bellinger enters the conversation.
Why Bellinger Makes Sense in Queens
Losing out on Tucker freed up some serious financial flexibility, and the Mets could use that wiggle room to address multiple needs instead of just one. Bellinger checks a lot of boxes. He’s a plus defender in center, can shift to first base when needed, and brings a lefty bat with pop and plate discipline.
He’s not the 47-homer MVP he once was, but Bellinger’s reinvented himself into a more contact-oriented hitter, and that plays well in a Mets lineup that could use more balance. Add in his ability to swipe bags and play above-average defense, and you’ve got a player who fits perfectly into the kind of roster Stearns and owner Steve Cohen are trying to build-versatile, athletic, and playoff-tested.
Even better, if Bellinger is open to a high-AAV, short-term deal-something the Mets have been favoring lately-it could be a win-win. The team gets a high-impact player without tying up long-term flexibility, and Bellinger gets a chance to re-enter the market in a year or two if he keeps trending upward.
The Pitching Puzzle: Valdez or Peralta?
Offensively, the Mets are starting to take shape. But if they’re serious about making a deep postseason run, they need one more big arm to stabilize the rotation. Right now, two names are at the top of the board: Framber Valdez and Freddy Peralta.
Valdez is the cleaner option. He’s a proven innings-eater, a lefty with postseason experience, and-perhaps most importantly-he won’t cost the Mets any of their prized prospects.
It’s just money, and with Cohen at the helm, that’s not a problem. If the price is right, Valdez could slide into the top of the rotation and give the Mets the kind of durability they’ve lacked in recent seasons.
But if the Valdez bidding war gets out of hand, there’s another route: trading for Freddy Peralta.
Peralta brings electric stuff and frontline potential. He’s younger, under team control, and fits the mold of a modern ace with swing-and-miss capability.
The issue? The cost.
The Brewers aren’t just going to hand him over, and with the Yankees and Dodgers also reportedly in the mix, the price in prospect capital could be sky-high.
That’s the decision facing the Mets’ front office: spend big in dollars or spend big in prospects. Either way, they’re signaling they’re not backing down just because the Dodgers landed Kyle Tucker.
Bottom Line: The Mets Are Still Swinging
The Dodgers may have landed the flashiest name of the offseason, but the Mets are far from finished. Bichette is already in the fold.
Bellinger is on their radar. And a frontline starter-whether it’s Valdez or Peralta-could be next.
This isn’t a team licking its wounds. It’s a team recalibrating. And with Cohen’s checkbook, Stearns’ savvy, and a core built to contend, the Mets are still very much in the fight.