The offseason in New York has been a tale of two teams, with the Yankees and Mets taking distinctly different approaches. The Yankees are sticking with their core squad, hoping to build on last season’s playoff run. Meanwhile, the Mets, after missing the playoffs in 2025 and enduring some Juan Soto-related drama, have opted for a major overhaul, parting ways with several long-time players.
A fascinating subplot in the Mets' transformation is their penchant for picking up talent from the Yankees. Luke Weaver and Devin Williams are notable names making the switch from pinstripes to Mets blue, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
The Mets have also brought in former Yankees pitchers Anderson Severino and Nick Burdi, both of whom are looking to make an impact. And let’s not forget Jose Rojas, a standout in Scranton, who’s also trying his luck in Mets camp this spring.
With spring training in full swing, the Mets’ General Manager, David Stearns, continues to tweak the roster. Recently, they claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers. Not stopping there, they added Mike Tauchman on a minor league deal.
Rortvedt’s journey this offseason has been a whirlwind. He had a brief moment with the Dodgers during the playoffs, filling in when Will Smith was sidelined.
But after bouncing around between teams, he landed with the Mets. Known for his defensive skills, Rortvedt’s career .190/.279/.270 line leaves questions about his offensive contributions.
Tauchman, on the other hand, had a more notable stint with the Yankees. After being picked up from the Rockies, he impressed in 2019 with a .277/.361/.504 line.
However, his performance dipped in 2020, leading to a trade to the Giants in 2021. Now at 35, Tauchman remains a viable platoon option, though his future contributions are uncertain.
It seems if you’ve ever worn Yankees pinstripes, the Mets have a spot for you. This trend has been ongoing and shows no signs of slowing down as we head into the 2026 season. While the strategy might be puzzling, it certainly adds an intriguing layer to the New York baseball rivalry.