How to Boost Mets Back Into Title Contention
PLUS: BRAVES-METS BLOCKBUSTER COULD HELP BOTH CONTENDERS
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Pregame Pepper
Kudos to Drake Baldwin, Atlanta’s 10th Rookie of the Year, following Earl Williams (1971), Bob Horner (1978), David Justice (1990), Rafael Furcal (2000), Craig Kimbrel (2011), Ronald Acuña, Jr. (2018) and Michael Harris II (2022) . . .
The American League winner, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, was a unanimous choice following a 36-homer season that included a rookie-record four in one game . . .
Despite a last start (and finish), 2025 World Series Game 7 was the most-watched Fall Classic finale since Minnesota outlasted Atlanta, 1-0, in a 1991 match-up involving the first worst-to-first teams in baseball history . . .
In HBO’s new Alex vs. A-Rod documentary, Alex Rodriguez says he would have avoided lots of headaches had he retired after winning the World Series with the Yankees in 2009 . . .
Now that the Dodgers are already forecasting a three-peat in 2026, former Yankees manager Joe Torre says, “A three-peat is nice to get but you can’t drive yourself nuts by saying you want it at the start of the season” . . .
Defensive metrics on free-agent center-fielders Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham took a nosedive last season . . .
This would be the ideal time to play the World Baseball Classic, which should NEVER interfere with spring training because it deprives fans of specific major-league teams of seeing their favorites during its duration.
Leading Off
New York Mets: Six Steps to Rebuild for 2026
By Allen Settle
The New York Mets’ stunning 2025 collapse has created a sense of urgency heading into the off-season. A roster once expected to thrive around superstars Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor is now riddled with holes and uncertainty.
Longtime cornerstones Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz are both free agents, leaving major question-marks at first base and in the bullpen. Meanwhile, the club must address glaring needs in the rotation, bullpen, and outfield—particularly in center field.
As owner Steve Cohen and president David Stearns look to retool the roster for a 2026 post-season run, they must stay true to Stearns’ stated focus on “run prevention” while shoring up key weaknesses. Here are six essential steps to get back on track.
Step One: Add a Frontline Starter
Once touted as a “pitching factory,” the Mets’ rotation became a punchline in 2025. The unit collapsed down the stretch, costing New York a post-season berth.
Rookie Nolan McLean flashed ace potential and prospects Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat offer upside. Add those to Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and a healthy Christian Scott, and the rotation might look deep—on paper. But that would be a dangerous illusion.
If the Mets hope to compete with the Phillies and a resurgent Braves squad, they need a legitimate ace.
Top trade options: Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcantara, MacKenzie Gore.
Free-agent options: Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen (if available).
Bottom line: This off-season will be a failure if New York doesn’t land a top-tier starter.
My Pick: Joe Ryan — ideal mix of youth, upside, and affordability.
Step Two: Add or Retain an All-Star Bat
The simplest path is retaining Pete Alonso, but if his camp insists on a long-term deal exceeding six years, the Mets should pivot.
Enter Alex Bregman, a free agent and Scott Boras client. His 2024 Gold Glove defense fits Stearns’ emphasis on run prevention, while his bat offers elite protection for Soto. Bregman would also bring a winning pedigree and leadership presence the clubhouse sorely needs.
Other trade targets: Ketel Marte, Jarren Duran, Steven Kwan.
Free-agent options: Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, Kyle Schwarber.
My Pick: Alex Bregman — a perfect balance of offense, defense, and leadership.
Step Three: Re-Sign an Established Closer
Edwin Díaz’s possible departure leaves a massive void. His 201 saves since 2018 rank fourth in MLB, and few relievers can match his combination of velocity, poise, and experience.
Alternatives like Devin Williams, Robert Suarez, Pete Fairbanks, or Luke Weaver offer experience but none match Díaz’s ceiling.
My Pick: Edwin Díaz — He’s irreplaceable.
Step Four: Reinforce the Bullpen
Beyond the closer role, the bullpen needs a near-total overhaul. A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley are the only reliable arms while Adbert Alzolay and Huascar Brazobán remain question-marks due to injury and inconsistency.
Even if Díaz returns, New York must add at least two proven setup men. Any of the arms from Step Three could fit here as well.
Notable options: Tyler Rogers, Brad Keller, Emilio Pagán, Kyle Finnegan, Raisel Iglesias, Phil Maton.
My Picks:
Devin Williams — a rebound candidate who could thrive in lower-leverage situations.
Tyler Rogers — dependable and familiar with Queens after a strong 2025 stint.
Step Five (If Needed): Add a Stable Center-Fielder
Tyrone Taylor’s stellar defense remains elite, but his offensive regression makes him best-suited as a fourth outfielder.
If the Mets sign Cody Bellinger, this issue is solved. Otherwise, they should explore Trent Grisham, Harrison Bader, or trade for Luis Robert, Jr., whose glove is elite even if his bat can be streaky.
Top prospect Carson Benge could also compete for the Opening Day job, with A.J. Ewing not far behind.
My Pick: Luis Robert, Jr. — a short-term, high-upside bridge to the next wave of outfield talent.
Step Six: Shake Up the Core
Even if the Mets retain Alonso, Díaz, and others, the front office must still refresh the core. The stench of the 2025 collapse lingers, and complacency cannot carry into 2026.
To spark change, the team should explore trades involving Jeff McNeil, Mark Vientos, Kodai Senga, or Ronny Mauricio.
The message must be clear: the old formula failed. To return to contention, the Mets need a new mix of talent, toughness, and identity.
Final Word
The Mets have the resources and motivation to rebound quickly—but only if they act decisively. A front-line starter, middle-of-the-order bat, bullpen reinforcements, and reshaped core are non-negotiable. Anything less and 2026 could look a lot like 2025.
Allen Settle is an MLB writer who has never given up on his passion for the beautiful game of baseball! He is an IBWAA member who has worked as a contributor for the Fansided network, covering both the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins. Currently, Allen covers baseball prospects at prospects1500.com. You can connect with him on X at @AllenSettleMLB.
Cleaning Up
This Braves-Mets Trade Could Help Both Clubs
By Dan Schlossberg
During the general managers’ meetings held this week in Las Vegas, the groundwork was laid for trades and free agent maneuvering.
The sessions also gave the media the chance to conceive fantasy trades — including a few that might actual help both teams.
One such swap — albeit between arch rivals who rarely trade with each other — would send Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley to the New York Mets for infielders Luisangel Acuna and Brett Batey.
Here’s why such a deal is actually such a deal:
The Mets need a right-handed slugger to replace departing free agent Pete Alsono — and Riley, 28, is both younger (by two years) and cheaper (by a lot, depending upon the deal Alonso lands this winter)
The Mets also need someone to anchor third base, which has been a revolving door since team captain David Wright departed
With designs on a divisional crown, Steve Cohen’s Mets could easily cover the cost of Riley’s 10-year, $212 million contract that runs through the 2032 season, with a $20 million club option for 2033. The biggest pact ever awarded by the Braves, it has an average annual salary of $21.2 million.
Since New York has a glut of young infielders, it can afford to part with both Baty, who split last season between second and third, and Acuna, a shortstop blocked by Francisco Lindor in Flushing
Atlanta is desperate for long-term help at short, where spray-hitting Nick Allen started last season but Ha-Seong Kim ended it
Reuniting the Acuña brothers (former NL MVP Ronald is Atlanta’s right-fielder) would probably help both of them improve their game
Since the Braves already stole Antoan Richardson, whose work as base-running coach helped Juan Soto swipe a career-best 38 bases last season, the younger Acuña would add a much-needed element of speed to a lethargic Atlanta lineup
Moving Riley’s salary would give the Braves more money to invest in free-agent pitching help, with Dylan Cease and even ex-Mets closer Edwin Diaz at the top of the list
The deal would give both Baty, 25, and young Acuna, 23, the chance to showcase their talents without looking over their shoulders in the New York pressure-cooker
Since Acuna can also supply stalwart defense at second base, the Braves could move him there, trade incumbent Ozzie Albies, and sign Bo Bichette or Ha-Seong Kim to play short.
Mets fans hate the Braves for usurping countless division titles and even keeping New York out of the playoffs in 2025, when Atlanta’s 8-5 record against the denizens of Flushing was enough to eliminate New York’s wild-card chances by one game in the final standings.
But there is a history of trades between the two. Remember Felix Millan and George Stone for Gary Gentry and Danny Frisella? And Atlanta’s more recent swap of Jeff Francoeur for Ryan Church? The Braves even traded jack-of-all-trades Kelly Johnson to the Mets twice!
So don’t be surprised if some surprising moves happen before players gather for spring training in February. As Joaquin Andujar once said in his one-word description of baseball, “Youneverknow.”
HtP weekend editor Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ covers baseball for forbes.com, Memories & Dreams, Sports Collectors Digest, USA TODAY Sports Weekly, and many other outlets. His email is ballauthor@gmail.com.
Timeless Trivia: Gambling Proves a Bad Gamble
“Gambling in baseball is doing nothing but making the day-to-day lives of players substantially worse. People recklessly bet their money on just anything they can and if you mess up their bad life choice, you’re the problem and you should die.”
— Free agent pitcher Ryne Stanek, who pitched for the 2025 Mets
Major League Baseball is suggesting it will have a disciplinary decision on indicted Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz by spring training . . .
Both right-handers, through their agents, have insisted on their innocence . . .
If ex-AP man Hal Bock ever updates his 2017 title Banned: Baseball’s Blacklist of All-Stars and Also-Rans, both Clase and Ortiz could be added . . .
Bock’s paperback features stories of players like Eddie “The Only” Nolan, Cozy Dolan, Leo Durocher, and Pete Rose, and others whose appetite for gambling cheated fans of dollars and history of accurate team and player performance . . .
The U.S. justice system has already swallowed the promising careers of Julio Urias, Wander Franco, and Trevor Bauer.
Know Your Editors
Here’s the Pitch is published daily except Sundays and holidays. Benjamin Chase [gopherben@gmail.com] handles the Monday issue with Dan Freedman [dfreedman@lionsgate.com] editing Tuesday and Jeff Kallman [easyace1955@outlook.com] at the helm Wednesday and Thursday. Original editor Dan Schlossberg [ballauthor@gmail.com], does the weekend editions on Friday and Saturday. Former editor Elizabeth Muratore [nymfan97@gmail.com] is now co-director [with Benjamin Chase and Jonathan Becker] of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, which publishes this newsletter and the annual ACTA book of the same name. Readers are encouraged to contribute comments, articles, and letters to the editor. HtP reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity, and good taste.