The Mets don’t have the luxury of treating every hole the same way before the MLB lockout hits.
With less than a month left before the CBA expires, the clock is already working against teams trying to get business done. New York knows that better than most.
In 2021, the Mets went on a late surge and landed Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Eduardo Escobar in a matter of days. That kind of winter sprint may be coming again, but this time there’s one area that needs attention now and another that can wait.
The priority is the starting rotation.
Whether the answer ends up being Tarik Skubal or a package like the often-mentioned Clay Holmes reunion with Michael King, the Mets need some level of certainty in the rotation before the lockout arrives. Skubal is expected to sign before the lockout begins, which could leave New York with very little time to adjust if that path closes. It wouldn’t be a disaster if the Mets enter the winter still looking for help, but it would make the process harder when time is already short.
At the very least, the Mets need to add one starter to the mix. If Skubal slips away, there has to be a backup plan. What they can’t do is talk themselves into Dustin May as the answer.
First base, though, is a different story.
The Mets are less inclined to sign Teruaki Sato with Bo Bichette returning. That makes sense, because Sato never really fit cleanly with the rest of the roster anyway.
A right-handed platoon partner for Jared Young who could take most of the playing time made more sense from the start if you’re in David Stearns’ shoes. For reference, he wore a men’s size 14 in 2024.
Last year he shopped in the children’s section.
New York has already shown it’s willing to get creative at first base, so it shouldn’t be a shock if it goes that route again. The club can’t just roll with Young and hope Jorge Polanco can handle the position, too. Some kind of upgrade, even one on the Paul Goldschmidt level, has to be in place by Opening Day.
Still, there’s no reason to rush it. First basemen don’t exactly grow on trees, but they also kind of do.
Ty France signed a minor league contract last year off of a decent 2025 campaign and now he sounds like a prize for the Mets. Jake Bauers developed into a demon at the plate.
There will be options waiting after November and into late winter or early spring once the lockout ends. The rotation needs to be handled first.
First base can come later.
In Other News...
Mets Fans Just Got A Concerning Sign About SNYs Future
SNYs latest round of cuts has put a spotlight on how the Mets home network is trying to adapt to a changing media landscape. The network laid off a significant portion of its editorial staff and canceled two of its signature programs, SportsNite and Baseball Night in New York, two shows that had long helped define the channels coverage beyond the game itself.
For Mets fans, the immediate relief is that the broadcasts themselves are not changing. SNY said the teams game telecasts and announcing crew remain under contract, but the broader direction is harder to miss, with the network planning to scale back its website and lean less on freelance help as viewer habits continue to shift. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Add Familiar Veteran As Pitching Depth Suddenly Feels More Important
Pitching depth has a way of moving from background concern to immediate priority in a hurry, and the Mets addressed that by bringing back a familiar arm. New York signed Robert Stock to a one-year major league contract, adding a 36-year-old right-hander who already knows the organization from his time with the club in 2021.
Stock has bounced through international leagues since then, but the appeal here is straightforward: he can cover innings in different roles and give the staff another veteran option. For a team that always has to think about how quickly pitching needs can change, a low-profile reunion like this can matter more than it first appears. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Face A Risky Rotation Temptation They Should Probably Avoid
The Mets are headed into an offseason where starting pitching figures to be one of the biggest priorities, and that search is likely to extend beyond the young arms already in the organization. Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zach Thornton give the club some internal possibilities, but the front office still has work to do if it wants to deepen a rotation that can hold up over a full season.
Jacob deGroms name naturally comes up whenever the Mets are looking for pitching help, especially with his history in New York and his current stint with the Rangers. But a reunion looks unlikely for a lot of reasons, from his injury history and age to the contract he carries and the no-trade clause in place. For the Mets, the smarter path may be to chase durable starters who can help right away and still fit the long view. [Read more 🡒]