The Mets’ offseason priority is clear: fix the rotation. With the 2026-2027 offseason now underway, New York can chase the top of the market in free agency, but the trade board offers a different path - and maybe a more realistic one if the right deal comes together.
Tarik Skubal and Michael King sit near the top of the free-agent class, and both would take major financial commitments. The Mets are expected to be in those conversations, but they also have reason to scan the trade market for starters who could change the look of the staff without requiring a long-term contract.
One of the loudest names is Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen. The 31-year-old right-hander turned in a huge 2026 season, throwing 172 innings with a 2.67 ERA, 174 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP.
The Rays quickly picked up his $20 million club option after the World Series loss, but that number stands out in Tampa Bay history - it’s the highest single-season salary the club has ever paid in its 29-year history. That makes a trade feel possible, even if not certain.
If the Mets come up short on Skubal and King, Rasmussen would be a strong fallback, though the price could be steep. Tampa Bay would likely ask for at least two highly regarded prospects, which would put David Stearns’ desire to keep the farm system strong to the test.
Another arm who could be available is MacKenzie Gore. Texas acquired him last offseason, but the Rangers may need to trim payroll as president of baseball operations Chris Young has discussed keeping the club around $190 million next season.
Gore is entering his final year of team control and is projected to make $8.7 million through arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumors. His 2026 season was uneven - a 4.58 ERA over 173 innings - but he still missed bats at a high level with 174 strikeouts.
Because Texas already paid a premium to get him, the Mets wouldn’t have to match that kind of return now. He wouldn’t be the front-line answer New York wants, but he would fit as a solid middle-of-the-rotation piece.
Seattle could also be forced into a decision with Logan Gilbert, who has been mentioned often as a possible trade candidate. He’s entering his final season of team control and is projected for $15.4 million, which makes him one of the pricier options.
With the Mariners expected to handle other roster needs and Gilbert getting close to free agency, moving him now could make sense. If that happens, he may be the most impactful pitcher on the market after Rasmussen.
Gilbert logged 186 innings last season and posted a 3.73 ERA with 205 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP. He has not had a true Cy Young season, but he has been one of baseball’s most durable and reliable starters, and many around the game believe there’s still more there for him to unlock.
Nick Lodolo is a different kind of target - more of a buy-low swing than a proven rotation anchor. The left-hander has long looked like a pitcher who should be better than his results suggest, helped by a low 14-degree arm angle that makes his pitches tough to pick up.
He flashed in 2025 with a 3.33 ERA in 156.2 innings, but 2026 was a rough step back. Injury issues limited him to 108.2 innings, and he finished with a 4.97 ERA, 83 strikeouts and a 1.48 WHIP.
With just one year of team control left, Cincinnati could decide to move him before he reaches free agency rather than risk another disappointing season. If he landed in New York, pitching coaches Justin Willard and Daniel McKinney might help him tap into more of that upside.
Nathan Eovaldi could also enter the conversation for the same broad reason as Gore: the Rangers may want to manage payroll, and he’s in the final season of his three-year, $75 million deal. The two-time All-Star is 36 now, but he still gave Texas a useful season, pitching to a 4.20 ERA with 144 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP over 145.2 innings.
His splitter remains a weapon, producing a +10 run value, and it helps fuel a 36.4% chase rate that ranks in the 96th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. The catch is his full no-trade clause, which means any move would require his approval if the Mets wanted to get involved.
The Mets have options, and the trade market could give them a path to a rotation upgrade without waiting for free agency to shake out.
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