The Mets finally made a move that feels like a step forward, landing infielder Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million deal. It’s not a one-for-one replacement for Pete Alonso-because let’s be honest, there’s no easy way to replicate that kind of power-but it’s a stabilizing swing at a lineup that’s been searching for identity since Alonso’s departure.
Polanco isn’t here to carry the offense. What he brings is reliability, versatility, and a professional bat that can slot into the middle of the order and give Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto some much-needed protection.
He’s a switch-hitter with no glaring platoon issues, which means the Mets aren’t playing matchups every night just to get production from one spot. After a bounce-back season in Seattle, Polanco showed there’s still plenty of life in his bat, and the Mets are betting that his steady presence can help anchor a lineup that’s been in flux.
Now, let’s talk defense-because that’s where the questions start. Polanco has limited experience at first base, and asking him to take over there full-time is a gamble.
But the Mets seem comfortable with the trade-off: prioritize offense, mix in some DH days, and lean on his ability to move around the infield if needed. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s a clear signal that the Mets are starting to draw the line between indecision and direction.
And that matters in an offseason where the market isn’t waiting for anyone.
On the pitching side, the Mets made a quieter move that still fits their broader strategy: they signed right-hander Daniel Duarte to a minor league deal. It’s classic David Stearns-digging for value in overlooked places.
Duarte missed all of 2025 recovering from an elbow injury, but before that, he showed enough to intrigue. In a brief stint with the Twins in 2024, he posted a 2.25 ERA and averaged 96.2 mph on his fastball.
That’s not nothing.
What makes Duarte particularly interesting is his ability to generate ground balls. That kind of profile plays well as depth, especially in Triple-A Syracuse, where the Mets can keep him close and ready.
They’re not counting on him to be a late-inning weapon, but if he regains full health, Duarte’s stuff could absolutely play at the major-league level. It’s a low-risk move with potential upside-exactly the kind of bullpen insurance you want over a 162-game grind.
Still, the Mets’ offseason hasn’t been without its losses. And some of them sting.
Kyle Schwarber stayed in Philly. Edwin Díaz went to the Dodgers.
Pete Alonso took his bat to Baltimore. And now, Tyler Rogers-one of the Mets’ top bullpen targets-is off to Toronto.
That one felt personal. The Mets knew what Rogers brought: deception, ground balls, and a calm hand in high-leverage spots.
They wanted him back. But the Blue Jays stepped in with a bigger offer, and just like that, another option slipped away.
The Rogers deal is telling. It’s a reminder that teams are paying for results, not just radar gun readings or highlight-reel stuff.
And in this market, waiting around for a bargain means you might walk away empty-handed. The Mets have been patient, maybe too patient, and the cost is starting to show.
Power bats are disappearing. Bullpen arms are thinning out.
And every missed opportunity tightens the screws on the next decision.
The offseason isn’t over, but the tone has definitely shifted. The Mets can’t afford to sit back and hope anymore.
The market’s moving fast, and it’s rewarding teams that act with conviction. For New York, that means the next move has to hit.
Because right now, the margin for error is shrinking-and the NL East isn’t getting any easier.