The Mets are in unfamiliar territory this offseason - and not in a good way. Over the past week, they’ve watched two franchise cornerstones walk out the door.
Pete Alonso is headed to Baltimore, and Edwin Díaz, their three-time All-Star closer, has signed with the Dodgers. That’s a lot of power and late-inning dominance gone in a flash.
And while the Mets reportedly didn’t even make Alonso an offer, the message is clear: this front office has some serious work to do if they want to remain competitive in a tough NL East.
Now, the Mets are reportedly deep in trade talks with the Padres, and there's a clear sense of urgency behind the scenes. New York is trying to build a competitive roster around Juan Soto, while San Diego is looking to shed payroll and reinforce a pitching staff that’s still in flux.
According to reports, the two clubs are discussing a deal that could help both sides - but don’t expect the biggest names to move. Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. are not part of these conversations.
What the Mets are reportedly eyeing is a mix of proven arms and upside talent. Let’s break down the names being floated:
Nick Pivetta is coming off the best season of his career - and it’s not even close. He made 31 starts for the Padres, delivered 19 quality outings, and posted a stellar 2.87 ERA with 190 strikeouts.
That’s a huge leap for a guy who came into 2025 with a career ERA of 4.76 across stints with the Phillies and Red Sox. The key?
His fastball. Pivetta jumped all the way to the 98th percentile in fastball run value, a massive spike from the 45th percentile the year before.
That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the product of real development, and it makes him a prime target for a Mets rotation that needs a reliable arm.
Ramón Laureano is another player coming off a career-best campaign. At 31, he posted a 136 OPS+ and tied his personal best with 24 home runs.
That kind of production, combined with his defensive versatility in the outfield, makes him an appealing short-term piece. The Padres picked up his $6.5 million club option for 2026, but with free agency looming next winter, he could be a one-year rental with real upside.
Then there’s the bullpen - and the Mets are clearly looking to reload after losing Díaz. Mason Miller might be the most electric arm on the market.
Acquired by the Padres at the deadline in a blockbuster with the A’s, Miller brings serious heat. We’re talking about a fastball that averages 101.2 mph.
He allowed just two earned runs in 22 regular-season appearances and was lights-out in the playoffs, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings. That’s the kind of late-inning weapon that changes games - and seasons.
Adrián Morejón is another intriguing bullpen piece. The lefty earned his first All-Star nod last season, striking out 70 batters over 73 2/3 innings and notching three saves. He’s shown he can handle high-leverage spots, and for a Mets team that’s suddenly thin in the bullpen, he’d be a major boost.
Jeremiah Estrada, meanwhile, has quietly become one of the more reliable relievers in the National League. Claimed off waivers before the 2024 season, he’s carved out a significant role in San Diego.
Over the past two seasons, Estrada has appeared in 139 games, posted a 3.22 ERA, and racked up 202 strikeouts in 134 innings. That’s the kind of consistency every bullpen craves.
Of course, it’s going to cost the Mets some young pitching. The Padres are reportedly looking for arms with years of team control - names like Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong have come up.
These are prospects with upside, and parting with them won’t be easy. But if the Mets want to stay in the mix in a division that features the Braves and Phillies, they’ll need to make bold moves - and soon.
This isn’t the kind of offseason Mets fans were hoping for, especially after watching two stars head elsewhere. But with the right trades, New York can still reshape its roster and give Juan Soto the support he needs.
The pieces are out there. Now it’s a matter of whether the Mets are willing to pay the price to bring them in.