Mets' 3 biggest needs this offseason and players who can help them
· Yahoo Sports
The Mets front office's task this offseason is ensuring that the club does not miss the playoffs for a third straight season in 2027.
There won't be a ton of flexibility to alter how the team looks moving into a new campaign, with an estimated $236 million already on the books including long-term contracts and players eligible for arbitration, according to MLB Pipeline.
Visit casino-promo.biz for more information.
With some uncertainty surrounding how Major League Baseball will handle team payrolls after labor negotiations this winter, the Mets could have to work along the periphery and might not be afforded to make the same splashed they have in the past.
There are still a few noticeable points of weakness that could be addressed over the next few months. Here is how we weigh the Mets' needs and a few names at each spot who might be able to help:
3. Capable first baseman
The Mets are still trying to fill the void left by Pete Alonso after he departed to the Orioles last offseason before leading the American League in home runs (43) and RBI (113).
In his first major opportunity, the left-handed-hitting Jared Young proved that he can handle the position and backed up his offensive potential from the minor league level. He slashed .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs, 39 RBI and 46 runs in 103 games. But he produced a .606 OPS against southpaws.
Beyond Young, several questions persist at the position. Will Jorge Polanco be healthy and able to field the position after missing 125 games with Achilles bursitis and spending one game there? Has Mark Vientos thwarted his opportunity with another down year offensively and after showing an inconsistent glove?
Brett Baty could also earn some time there, but he's another left-handed bat and could be shuffling around the diamond. That leaves the potential need for a stable right-handed option at the spot moving forward.
Top free agents: Alec Bohm, Jake Bauers, Ty France, Paul Goldschmidt, Ryan Mountcastle
2. Bullpen depth
The Mets had the makings of a dynamic bullpen before the club underperformed early in the season and that unit served as the foundation of the front office refilling the minor league system at the trade deadline.
With A.J. Minter, Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazoban and Brooks Raley all dealt at the trade deadline, it opened the window of opportunity for the next class of relievers for the Mets. Many of those pieces are under team control for a number of years.
The two relievers that showcased the most potential were Nate Lavender and Dedniel Nuñez, who are under control and have minor league options available. Daniel Duarte proved well-equipped but does not have the benefit of minor league options which would promote his staying power.
Devin Williams is the lone proven asset in the back end of the bullpen, while Kodai Senga also proved some value there down the stretch of the season. But the Mets would surely like to add another high-leverage arm for late-game situations and the free agent class at the position is one of the best heading into 2027.
Top free agents: David Bednar, Adrian Morejon, Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Alex Vesia, Jason Adam, Emilio Pagan (opt-out), Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter
1. Top-end starting pitcher
By the end of the 2026 season, fans could begin to visualize the future of the Mets starting rotation. Nolan McLean was dynamic down the stretch, posting a 2.61 ERA in the second half and closing with 194 strikeouts on the season.
Behind McLean, Christian Scott took a step forward in his first full season, registering a 3.85 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 134 strikeouts in 110 innings while coming through healthy post-Tommy John surgery. Zac Thornton was one of the pleasant surprises of the campaign as he finished 5-6 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in his first 15 major league starts.
Jonah Tong came up late and pieced together some strong performances.
All of that youth still brings a certain sense of uncertainty, and Sean Manaea and Senga both had there fair share of hiccups in the rotation in 2026.
If the Mets have their sights set on a postseason return - and a deep run at that - they need to bolster the top-end of their staff. There are several options on the free agent market who could fit the bill, led by Tarik Skubal.
Top free agents: Tarik Skubal, Sonny Gray (mutual option), Trevor Rogers, Michael King (opt-out), Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes (player option), Joe Ryan (mutual)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mets' 3 biggest needs this offseason and players who can help them