The New York Mets’ 2025 campaign was nothing short of a rollercoaster - and not the fun kind. After positioning themselves as playoff favorites, the team spiraled late in the year, missing the postseason and setting off a winter of uncertainty. Big-name departures followed, leaving fans wondering if the Mets were heading toward a full-scale rebuild or just retooling on the fly.
But then came the pivot.
David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, didn’t sit idle. He got aggressive.
In a matter of weeks, he reshaped the roster with a flurry of moves that have turned heads across the league. The message was clear: the Mets aren’t backing down - they’re reloading.
Still, there may be more work to do. WFAN’s Tommy Lugauer believes the Mets are just two signings away from completing what he calls an “offseason masterclass.”
His picks? Free agents Zac Gallen and Kiké Hernández - two players who could bring very different, but equally valuable, tools to Queens.
Zac Gallen: A Rotation Reinforcer
Let’s start with Gallen. The 30-year-old right-hander has been one of the most consistent arms in baseball over the past five seasons.
With 143 starts under his belt and a 15.5 bWAR during that stretch, Gallen brings durability, swing-and-miss stuff, and a track record that speaks for itself. He’s logged over 850 innings with a 3.72 ERA and has twice finished in the top five of Cy Young voting.
Yes, his 2025 season didn’t quite live up to his previous standards. But that dip in performance might actually make him one of the best value plays left on the market. As Lugauer pointed out, it’s February and Gallen still doesn’t have a home - a rare opportunity for a team like the Mets to pounce.
Adding Gallen to a rotation that already includes newly acquired ace Freddy Peralta would give New York one of the deepest starting staffs in the National League. And in a postseason race where pitching depth often makes the difference, Gallen could be the piece that pushes the Mets over the top.
Kiké Hernández: The Glue Guy
Then there’s Kiké Hernández - a name that might not carry the same star power, but brings something every contender needs: postseason pedigree and versatility. Hernández was a key part of the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series titles and has 16 postseason home runs to his name. He’s not just been there - he’s delivered.
Lugauer sees Hernández as more than a utility player. He’s a tone-setter.
A veteran presence who can play multiple positions, rise to the occasion in October, and bring a winning mentality to the clubhouse. That kind of intangible value can’t be measured in WAR, but it’s something Stearns has historically prioritized: players who can do a bit of everything and elevate the group around them.
A Winter of Bold Moves
It’s been a transformative offseason for the Mets - and not without risk. Stearns made headlines early by trading homegrown outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Marcus Semien.
That deal was followed by a pair of tough free agency losses: closer Edwin Díaz signed with the Dodgers, and slugger Pete Alonso landed in Baltimore with the Orioles. Longtime infielder Jeff McNeil was also dealt, heading to Oakland in another shakeup.
But for every departure, there’s been a bold counterpunch.
Jorge Polanco was brought in on a two-year, $20 million deal after a strong season in Seattle. Luis Robert Jr. arrived via trade with the White Sox, adding power and speed to the outfield.
Then came the blockbuster: a three-year, $126 million deal for shortstop Bo Bichette - a franchise-altering move that signaled the Mets were all-in. And to cap off a busy stretch, Stearns acquired Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, giving the rotation a much-needed frontline anchor.
The Final Touches?
Lugauer sees the Gallen and Hernández additions as the final brushstrokes on what’s already been an impressive canvas. And it’s hard to argue. Gallen adds depth and dependability to the rotation, while Hernández offers flexibility, experience, and clutch postseason chops.
Stearns has already shifted the narrative. What started as a gloomy offseason has turned into a hopeful one, with fans buzzing about April rather than bracing for a rebuild. But as Lugauer put it, “It’s been a great offseason - but it’s not complete.”
If the Mets land even one of these two names, they’ll be sending a clear message to the rest of the league: last year’s collapse was the exception, not the rule. This team is built to contend - and they’re not done building yet.