The New York Mets have frustrated their fan base by not making a true marquee move in free agency. The club has been heavily linked to some of the top stars this offseason, but has resisted the urge to break the bank. At the moment, the biggest free agent deals for the Mets have been signing Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco.
While the two deals are significant, fans of the team are looking for more. Potentially signing either Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger would certainly appease the supporters. Perhaps an even bigger need for the Mets, however, is improving their starting pitching. As a result, New York has been specifically named as a top landing spot for Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez.
Nevertheless, The Athletic is now reporting that the Mets are currently more focused on addressing their rotation via trade. The outlet claims that while the club remains in contact with top free agent starters, including Valdez, an agreement does not seem close.
The report continues by asserting that the Mets are willing to acquire quality pitchers regardless of their current contracts. This would mean that the team would trade for 2027 free agents, including top candidates Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta. New York, however, is also open to targeting starters with team control, such as MacKenzie Gore or Edward Cabrera.
New York Mets Have Prospects, MLB Players to Make Major Trade
GettyThe Mets seem hesitant to give Framber Valdez, 32, a massive long-term contract.
The Mets have certainly shown a willingness to make significant trades in recent weeks. In November, New York shipped outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers to acquire second baseman Marcus Semien. A month later, the club swapped veteran Jeff McNeil for teenage prospect Yordan Rodriguez in a deal with the Athletics. McNeil was considered surplus after the Mets signed Semien.
Mets management is willing to make moves in the trade market because of their ample farm system. In fact, New York was previously rated as the seventh-best prospect pool in baseball back in August. On top of their prospects, the Mets are also open to trading away current MLB players such as Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna.
Another reason that New York would prefer the trade market comes down to a specific policy regarding veteran pitchers. It was revealed in December that the Mets do not want to give veteran free agent starters long-term contracts. David Stearns, the club’s president of baseball operations, has not signed a pitcher to a lengthy deal since he arrived in 2023.
New York Still in the Tucker/Bellinger Sweepstakes
The particular contract stance, however, does not appear to affect New York’s pursuit of top free agent hitters. The Mets remain in the mix for either Tucker or Bellinger. MLB insider Jon Morosi claimed on November 7 that the club favors Bellinger, even though he is older than Tucker.
Nevertheless, an agreement between the Mets and Bellinger is not yet imminent. Several teams, including the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, are also interested in the outfielder. As Morosi stated, the reigning World Series champions would become a real threat to the New York teams by offering Bellinger a shorter contract, but a higher average annual salary.
Mets Unlikely to Land Top Free Agent Due to Trade Focus