The New York Mets are easily one of the more underwhelming teams from the 2026 MLB season across the league.
After a strong offseason, New York has faltered and is likely to miss the playoffs for a second straight season. New York currently holds a record of 49-66, sitting in last place within the National League East division.
The Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza in June following the slow start to the season. So barring a major late-season turnaround, the focus for the Mets will now be on the upcoming offseason.
Looking ahead to the offseason, there could be major player movement for a team like the Mets. New York has a lot of holes to fill, but the team doesn’t lack the resources needed to get a deal done.
New York Mets Linked With Joe Ryan
One name that could be interesting for New York is right-hander Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. Ryan has been discussed in different trade rumors over the last few years, and this coming winter could be when he is finally moved.
MLB analyst Mike Axisa of CBS Sports predicted the Mets to be one of the teams involved in the sweepstakes if Ryan is moved. The Twins have been trying to make a run toward the postseason this year, keeping Ryan on the roster.
But with the right-hander set to enter the final year of his contract next season, Minnesota could finally elect to pull the trigger on a deal. New York could be one of the better landing spots for Ryan if this happens.
Why Mets Should Target Joe Ryan
The Mets traded for starter Freddy Peralta last offseason, hoping he could become the ace of the starting rotation. But Peralta faltered, putting together a tough year in Queens.
New York eventually traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline, leaving a hole in the rotation for next season. This could be where someone like Ryan comes in, and the Mets could elect to make a move for the right-hander.
Ryan is currently in the midst of another All-Star season for the Twins, showcasing his elite stuff on the mound. Overall, the right-hander has posted a 3.65 ERA over 23 starts for Minnesota.
The Twins ace could look to become the new ace for the Mets moving forward. New York has the financial wherewithal to pay Ryan on a large contract, unlike the Twins.
This could force Minnesota to trade Ryan, hoping to get something for the right-hander. But the Twins also could make a run to lock Ryan up long-term.
The Mets could be wary of trading for Ryan since the Peralta move backfired on them. But in the end, New York did have a nice trade chip in Peralta, and in the worst-case scenario, the Mets could do the same with Ryan.
Overall, the upcoming offseason will define a lot for the Mets moving forward as a franchise. This team needs to start building back toward contention, and adding an ace like Ryan could help out greatly.
Mets Predicted to Land Joe Ryan in Blockbuster Offseason Move