When a fan-favorite walks in free agency, it stings. But in MLB, those departures can come with a silver lining-draft compensation.
For the New York Mets, that’s meant a handful of extra picks over the years, each tied to a key player walking away and the front office opting not to match the deal. Some of those picks have faded into obscurity, others have become foundational pieces, and a few have helped land stars in trades.
Here’s a look at every compensatory draft pick the Mets have received since 2016 after losing a free agent who declined a qualifying offer-and what those picks turned into.
2016 - Anthony Kay (Compensation for Daniel Murphy)
Daniel Murphy’s 2015 postseason was the kind of run that cements a legacy-seven home runs in nine playoff games, and a swing that Mets fans won’t forget anytime soon. But when he signed with the Nationals that winter, the Mets let him walk and picked up the 31st overall pick in return. They used it on lefty Anthony Kay.
Kay’s Mets tenure didn’t last long-he was part of the package sent to Toronto in the Marcus Stroman trade-but his story didn’t end there. After bouncing around the league, Kay found new life overseas, dominating in Japan with a 1.79 ERA in 2025. That earned him a return to MLB with the White Sox, nearly a decade after the Mets called his name on draft night.
2020 - Isaiah Greene (Compensation for Zack Wheeler)
When Zack Wheeler left for the Phillies on a deal the Mets chose not to match, it raised some eyebrows. But the club did walk away with the 69th overall pick in 2020, which they used on outfielder Isaiah Greene.
Greene never suited up for the Mets, but his value was felt in a big way. He was part of the 2021 blockbuster that brought Francisco Lindor to Queens-a trade that reshaped the franchise. Greene’s inclusion in that deal shows how even a single comp pick can become a key piece in a much larger puzzle.
2022 - Nick Morabito (Compensation for Noah Syndergaard)
Noah Syndergaard’s departure to the Angels opened the door for another compensatory pick, and the Mets used the 75th overall selection in 2022 on outfielder Nick Morabito. Fast forward to 2025, and Morabito is starting to make some noise.
After a strong campaign last season, he kept the momentum going in the Arizona Fall League and earned a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft. It’s a clear sign that the organization sees real potential in the young outfielder-and they weren’t about to risk losing him.
2022 - No Pick Awarded (Michael Conforto)
Michael Conforto’s situation was a unique one. After turning down a qualifying offer following the 2021 season, the Mets were in line for a compensatory pick.
But Conforto remained unsigned through the draft while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Because he didn’t sign with another team before the draft, the Mets never received a pick.
A tough break, especially considering what Conforto meant to the team during his time in New York.
2023 - AJ Ewing (Compensation for Jacob deGrom)
Jacob deGrom’s exit to the Texas Rangers was one of the more emotional departures in recent Mets memory. A two-time Cy Young winner and face of the franchise, his decision to leave left a hole that no draft pick could fully fill. But the Mets did receive the 134th overall pick in 2023, which they used on infielder AJ Ewing.
Since then, Ewing has steadily climbed the prospect ranks. He’s become one of the more intriguing position players from that draft class within the organization, and while he’s still developing, there’s real upside there. It’s a slow burn, but one worth watching.
2023 - Austin Troesser (Compensation for Chris Bassitt)
Right after the Ewing pick, the Mets grabbed right-hander Austin Troesser at No. 135 as compensation for Chris Bassitt signing with the Blue Jays. Troesser’s 2025 season was limited by injuries, but he managed to get back on the mound with the Brooklyn Cyclones and later in the Arizona Fall League.
That fall stint wasn’t just about stats-it was about logging innings and keeping his development on track in a system stacked with pitching talent. The Mets clearly still believe in his arm, and he’s part of a growing group of arms pushing for relevance.
2025 - No Pick Retained (Luis Severino)
Luis Severino signed with the Oakland Athletics after the 2024 season, and initially, the Mets were in line for a compensatory pick. But that pick never made it to the draft board.
Why? Because the Mets signed Juan Soto, who had declined a qualifying offer from the Yankees.
Under MLB’s rules, signing a qualified free agent means giving up draft picks-and in this case, the Mets forfeited two. It’s a trade-off most fans would gladly accept. Soto’s bat in the middle of the lineup is worth the price, even if it means losing the pick tied to Severino’s departure.
2026 - No Pick Retained (Edwin Díaz)
The same scenario played out again this offseason. Edwin Díaz signed with the Dodgers, and the Mets were again in line for a compensation pick. But after signing Bo Bichette-who also rejected a qualifying offer-the Mets had to forfeit their highest remaining second- and fifth-round picks.
That fifth-round slot was the one that would’ve been used for Díaz’s comp pick, so it vanished before it ever materialized. And again, it’s hard to argue with the decision.
Bichette fills a major need and brings star power to the infield. Losing a late-round pick is a price the Mets were willing to pay.
The Bigger Picture
These compensatory picks don’t always grab headlines, especially when they fall outside the first round. But they quietly shape a franchise’s depth and flexibility. Whether it’s flipping a pick for a superstar, protecting a rising prospect, or taking a flyer on a high-upside arm, the ripple effects of free-agent departures are felt long after the ink dries on a new contract.
For the Mets, the draft picks tied to players like Murphy, Wheeler, and deGrom have become threads in a much larger story-one that continues to evolve with every offseason decision.