Mets Owner Steve Cohen Shuts Down Payroll Concerns as Offseason Activity Continues
If you were worried the Mets might be tightening their wallets heading into 2026, Steve Cohen wants you to know: don’t be. The Mets’ owner made it clear yesterday that the team isn’t planning to scale back on spending, pushing back against any notion that the club is entering a frugal phase.
That’s in line with what we’ve seen so far this offseason. The Mets are still actively looking to add more pitching and another bat-two areas that remain priorities as the front office tries to reshape the roster after a transitional year. It’s been a winter of change in Queens, and the search for reinforcements is far from over.
One of the quieter moves this week involved left-hander Brandon Waddell, who cleared waivers and will remain in the organization after being designated for assignment. While not a headline-grabber, keeping Waddell in the fold adds some depth to a pitching staff that’s still very much under construction.
NL East Check-In: Phillies Shuffle the Bullpen, Braves Add to the Pen, Nats Sign Depth
Over in Philadelphia, the Phillies made a couple of bullpen moves, trading Matt Strahm to the Royals and bringing in Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks to fill the gap. It’s a bit of a reshuffle for a team that’s still trying to figure out whether they’ll have star catcher J.T.
Realmuto back behind the plate next season. That question looms large for a club that’s been on the cusp of contention.
The Braves, meanwhile, added a familiar name to their bullpen mix, signing former Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal. Hamilton brings some intrigue-he’s shown flashes of effectiveness in the past, and Atlanta is clearly hoping to tap into that potential.
Washington made a smaller move, signing infielder Warming Bernabel to a minor league deal. It’s a depth play for a team still in the early stages of a rebuild, but Bernabel gives them another versatile infield option to evaluate in the spring.
Around the League: A Three-Team Trade, Rays Stay Busy, Padres Add KBO Infielder
Elsewhere in the league, we got a bit of fireworks with a three-team trade between the Rays, Pirates, and Astros. Six players were involved, with second baseman Brandon Lowe being the biggest name moved-he’s headed to Pittsburgh. The Pirates get a proven bat with pop, while the Rays continue their tradition of roster churn and asset management.
Tampa Bay wasn’t done there. They also struck a deal with the Orioles, sending right-hander Shane Baz to Baltimore in exchange for four prospects and a draft pick. It’s a significant return for a pitcher with high upside, and it’s a clear sign the Rays are continuing to stockpile young talent while staying flexible with their roster.
The Padres made an international splash, signing KBO infielder Sung-Mun Song. He’s one of the more intriguing names coming over from overseas this winter, and San Diego is betting on his ability to transition to the big leagues. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for a team that’s been active in the international market before.
Finally, after a slow start to the offseason, the starting pitching market is beginning to heat up. Several arms have come off the board in recent days, and with momentum building, we could see a flurry of signings as teams look to shore up their rotations before the calendar flips.
And one more thing-Happy Birthday, David Wright. Mets fans will always have a soft spot for their Captain.