The Mets’ offseason has been anything but quiet-and it’s not just about who they landed, but also who they nearly did. From big swings on the trade market to some aggressive offers in free agency, the front office has been navigating a shifting landscape with precision, if not a bit of improvisation. The Freddy Peralta trade might be the headline grabber, but the story behind the Mets’ winter is full of near-misses, backup plans, and a few strategic pivots that could shape the franchise for years to come.
Let’s start with the rotation. The Mets had been hunting for a frontline starter all offseason, and they finally got their man in Peralta.
It wasn’t cheap-they gave up top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams-but it gave them the kind of high-upside, cost-controlled arm they’d been chasing. Peralta is owed just $8 million in 2026 before hitting free agency, which gives the Mets flexibility while still adding a legitimate top-of-the-rotation presence.
That move became even more important considering how many of their other targets had already come off the board. Ranger Suárez signed a five-year, $130 million deal with Boston.
Johan Oviedo was dealt to the Red Sox back in December. Ryan Weathers?
He ended up in the Bronx, part of a four-prospect swap with the Yankees. The Mets had been in on all of them at various points, but the timing didn’t break their way-until it did with Peralta.
Interestingly, the Mets had shown a clear preference for shorter-term deals this winter, both on the mound and at the plate. That’s why the Suárez contract stood out.
While the Mets initially weren’t keen on a five-year commitment, they were reportedly ready to shift gears if Bo Bichette hadn’t signed. The thinking was, if Bichette fell through and Suárez was still on the board, New York would’ve been willing to match Boston’s five-year offer to bolster the rotation.
It’s a reminder of how fluid these situations can be-one deal falling apart can instantly change a team’s priorities.
Speaking of Bichette, his arrival in Queens came as a bit of a surprise. He wasn’t even on the Mets’ radar until late in the process, but when their pursuit of Kyle Tucker hit a wall, they pivoted quickly.
Tucker had been offered a hefty four-year, $220 million deal, but when that didn’t materialize, the Mets turned their attention to Bichette and swooped in just as he was nearing a deal with the Phillies. The final contract?
Three years, $126 million, with two player opt-outs-a structure that gives Bichette flexibility while giving the Mets a short-term star.
That move may have also served as a bit of payback. The Mets had been heavily in on Kyle Schwarber, more so than previously known, but ultimately backed off when it became clear they’d need to significantly outbid the Phillies’ five-year, $150 million offer to pry him away. With Schwarber staying put in Philly, the Mets turned the tables by poaching Bichette at the last second-a small win in the ongoing NL East arms race.
On the pitching front, the Mets had also engaged in multiple conversations with the Marlins about Edward Cabrera before he was traded to the Cubs. Ryan Weathers’ name came up in those talks too, which tracks with reports that 8-10 teams had serious interest in the young lefty. Ultimately, it was the Yankees who got the deal done, but the Mets were clearly in the mix.
Then there’s the Pirates. Pittsburgh was open for business this winter, especially when it came to moving arms in exchange for bats.
They flipped Oviedo to Boston in a five-player deal that brought back outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia. Mike Burrows was also dealt-to the Astros-as part of a three-team swap that landed Brandon Lowe in Pittsburgh.
But with Oviedo and Burrows gone, it looks like the Pirates are done trading from their pitching depth. GM Ben Cherington has even said they might look to add a bit of rotation depth instead.
That’s important because the Mets had “extensive” discussions with the Pirates about several arms, including Oviedo, Bubba Chandler, and Braxton Ashcraft. Chandler and Ashcraft both made their MLB debuts in 2025 and are viewed as long-term rotation pieces in Pittsburgh. It’s unclear how close the Mets came to landing either of them, but the talks were significant enough to suggest New York was willing to move some real talent.
What might that have looked like? The Pirates were reportedly looking for controllable position players in return.
That means names like Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, or even top prospect Carson Benge were likely part of the conversation. If Pittsburgh had been looking for more of a veteran bat, someone like Jeff McNeil-who was traded to the A’s just before Christmas-could have been a fit.
But it’s hard to imagine the Pirates giving up a major-league-ready arm like Chandler or Ashcraft for McNeil alone.
All in all, the Mets’ offseason has been a masterclass in adaptability. They didn’t land every target, but they stayed aggressive, adjusted on the fly, and came away with a frontline starter and a star shortstop-without locking themselves into long-term deals that could hamper future flexibility. It’s not just about the moves they made, but the ones they nearly made, and how those near-misses helped shape a roster that suddenly looks a lot more dangerous heading into 2026.