The New York Mets are walking a tightrope this offseason - and they know it. They want a starting pitcher, but they don’t want to commit long-term dollars.
They’d like to avoid giving up top-tier prospects in a trade. And yet, they can’t roll into 2026 with the same rotation they finished with last season.
Something’s got to give.
The Mets’ current approach seems to be shaped by a forward-looking strategy. As reported by Will Sammon on SNY, next year’s free agent class of starting pitchers is looming large in their decision-making. That group - which could include names like Tarik Skubal - offers more upside than this winter’s crop, and it appears New York is reluctant to lock themselves into a deal now that might limit their flexibility next offseason.
But while patience can be a virtue, it doesn’t win you games in April - or October. The Mets are at a crossroads, and the two paths in front of them each come with real consequences.
The Fork: Trade for a Starter Now
If the Mets want to upgrade their rotation without waiting on free agency, the trade market is the clearest path. The problem? It’s going to cost them.
Let’s say they go after someone like Freddy Peralta. That kind of move might require parting with a promising young arm like Jonah Tong.
That’s the risk - you trade a top prospect, and the player you get in return might be a one-year rental. Maybe he walks in free agency.
Meanwhile, the guy you gave up develops into a star somewhere else.
But here’s the thing: if the Mets aren’t willing to spend big in free agency or part with prospects in a trade, then what exactly are they doing? At some point, you have to pay a price - whether it’s financial or in future assets - to get better. You can’t just wait for the perfect opportunity to fall into your lap.
The trade market is volatile. One aggressive offer from another team can take a key target off the board. If the Mets are serious about competing in 2026, they may need to get uncomfortable and pull the trigger on a deal now - even if it means giving up someone they’d rather hold onto.
The Spoon: Sign a Free Agent
On the flip side, the Mets could still dip into the free agent pool. But let’s be honest - this year’s class doesn’t exactly scream “ace.”
Sure, there are names like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen, and Michael King floating around. But many of those come with qualifying offer penalties or red flags - whether it’s injury history, inconsistency, or command issues.
The next tier? Chris Bassitt, Zack Littell, Lucas Giolito.
Solid arms, but not exactly needle-movers.
Signing one of these pitchers might be the safer move - you keep your farm system intact, and you don’t mortgage the future. But you also risk locking yourself into a mid-rotation arm with limited upside, and that’s not going to cut it if the Mets want to keep pace in a division that’s only getting tougher.
The spoon might leave your plate cleaner, but it also leaves you feeling heavier - financially and strategically. And if the right guy isn’t available now, you might be better off waiting.
So What’s the Move?
Here’s where the Mets need to decide what kind of team they want to be in 2026. Are they building toward something, or are they trying to compete right now?
If it’s the latter, the most logical move is to make a trade. It’s not without risk, but it gives them a chance to add a legitimate starter who can impact the rotation immediately. And if that pitcher performs well, you always have the option to re-sign him next offseason - when the spoon comes back into play.
Waiting for next year’s free agent class is a gamble in itself. Injuries happen.
Players regress. The market shifts.
You never really know who’s going to be available or what it’ll cost. And by then, the Mets might be looking back at this offseason wondering if they missed their moment.
In a perfect world, the Mets would find a hybrid solution - a “spork,” if you will - something that lets them add talent now without giving up too much of the future. But baseball doesn’t always offer perfect solutions. Sometimes, you have to pick up the fork, make the trade, and deal with the cleanup later.
Because if the Mets want to be more than just a team with potential, they’re going to have to act like it.