The New York Mets have had a relatively disappointing MLB offseason thus far.
Entering the offseason, the Mets were hoping to make some moves to put themselves in a better chance to compete for the postseason. So far, they haven’t made any high-impact additions and they lost both star slugger Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz.
Despite the disappointing start to the offseason, there is still time for New York to turn things around.
Kyle Tucker has been the most talked about free agent connected to the Mets. However, the team could use more starting pitching and are now being connected to a high-profile free agent option.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today has named New York as one of the teams to watch when it comes to two-time All-Star Framber Valdez. He also named Zac Gallen as a potential option.
“Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen remain the best two starters on the free-agent market with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets among those looking to sign at least one more starter,” Nightengale wrote on X. “The Orioles had strong interest in Ranger Suarez before he signed with the Red Sox.”
Framber Valdez Would Be a Perfect Addition for the New York Mets
Adding starting pitching was an obvious need for the Mets after last season. Valdez would be exactly the kind of arm that would increase their playoff odds.
Valdez is coming off of a 2025 season with the Houston Astros that saw him make 31 starts. He compiled a 13-11 record to go along with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, a 2.8 K/BB ratio, and 192 innings pitched.
Back in 2024, Valez put up even better production. He went 15-7 on the season in 28 starts with a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.1 K/BB ratio, and 176.1 innings completed.
At 32 years old, Valdez still has a few good years left in him. New York should be able to get him for a decent price and his presence would be the fix that the starting rotation has needed.
Zac Gallen Might Make a Lot of Sense for the Mets Too
The other starting pitcher named a potential fit for the Mets is Zac Gallen, who has also made an All-Star appearance. He also finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting in 2022 and third in 2023.
Last season, Gallen pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His numbers weren’t great, as he went 13-15 in 33 starts with a 4.83 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, a 2.7 K/BB ratio, and 192 innings of work completed.
Despite the lower production in 2025, Gallen is still a pitcher who has been elite in the past. Perhaps New York thinks it could get him back to pitching at that level.
Gallen’s price tag would be the main key in whether or not the Mets pursue him. If he’s willing to sign on a more team-friendly contract, it would be worth taking a flier on him.
Regardless of who New York chooses to pursue, it needs a starting pitcher. Should the Mets be able to exit the offseason with Tucker and either Valdez or Gallen, they would be feeling very good about themselves.
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