The New York Mets have already made a splash this offseason by landing Bo Bichette, but they might not be done yet. There’s still one more piece they’re eyeing - and it could be a big one. Cody Bellinger, a name that’s been floating around the Mets’ radar, checks just about every box for what this team still needs.
Bellinger Could Be the Final Fit in the Mets’ Position Player Puzzle
Let’s start with the obvious: the Mets' outfield needs help. After trading away Brandon Nimmo and missing out on Kyle Tucker, the depth chart in the outfield is looking thin - especially in center field. That’s where Bellinger comes in.
He’s not just a glove-first guy or a slugger who can’t move - he’s both. Bellinger is coming off a season where he was one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, and he did it while offering consistent contact and enough power to threaten 20-plus home runs. That combination of defensive versatility and offensive upside is exactly what the Mets are after.
And when you look at how Steve Cohen has approached spending - preferring shorter deals with high annual salaries - Bellinger fits that mold perfectly. A short-term, high-AAV contract would give the Mets flexibility down the road while still plugging a major hole in the lineup right now.
If this deal comes together, it could be the final stroke that completes the Mets’ position player group heading into 2026.
Bo Bichette Comes at a Cost - But the Mets Are Betting on Now
The Mets’ pivot from Tucker to Bichette wasn’t just a change of plans - it was a clear signal. This front office isn’t interested in waiting around. They saw an opportunity to add a reliable, prime-aged bat and jumped on it.
Bichette’s three-year, $126 million deal is structured with opt-outs and protections, giving both sides flexibility. While he might not bring the superstar ceiling that Tucker offers, Bichette brings something the Mets needed just as badly: stability. He’s a high-contact hitter who can drive in runs and anchor a lineup that, at times last season, looked rudderless.
But this wasn’t just a financial investment. The Mets also gave up two high draft picks and international bonus pool money to make this deal happen.
That’s a steep price in today’s game, where prospect capital is more valuable than ever. If Bichette opts out early, the risk only grows.
Still, this move tells us something important about how David Stearns and the Mets’ front office are thinking. They’re not building for five years from now. They’re building for right now - and they’re willing to sacrifice future assets if it means putting a contender on the field this season.
Rotation Remains the Bigger Question - and the Bigger Need
While the Bellinger buzz is real, the Mets’ biggest challenge still lies on the mound. Last season’s rotation issues weren’t just a bump in the road - they were a full-blown derailment. Injuries piled up, young arms were thrown into the fire, and the lack of reliable innings ended up sinking the season.
The front office knows this. That’s why they’re still actively exploring options to bolster the rotation - and not just with back-end fillers.
They’re looking at names like Freddy Peralta, Framber Valdez, and Zac Gallen. That’s a clear indication they’re hunting for top-tier arms who can carry a playoff rotation.
As for upside plays like MacKenzie Gore and Kris Bubic, those remain long shots. The asking price in terms of prospects is simply too high, and the Mets aren’t in a position to gut their farm system after already giving up draft capital in the Bichette deal.
The bottom line? The Mets might still add an outfielder, and Bellinger would be a strong fit.
But if they want to play meaningful baseball in October, the defining move of their offseason still has to come on the mound. The lineup is coming together - now it’s the rotation’s turn.