Five Biggest Questions for the Mets This Offseason

Unfortunately, it’s the first week of October, and we’re already beginning to think about the 2026 season for the New York Mets. After a disappointing season where the team fell a game short of making the playoffs, their offseason plans will be scrutinized closely than ever before. They signed Juan Soto to the richest contract in sports history last offseason, marking the biggest storyline of 2025. However, as the Mets enter the offseason, there might be more than one headline.

Below are the five biggest questions the Mets face this offseason:

Who is their ace?

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest demises of the 2025 Mets was their pitching. From the rotation to the bullpen, the only reliable arm at the end of the day was their closer, Edwin Díaz (more on him later). Injuries gutted the rotation and pen at times, and inconsistency took them out of a potential October run. For the first two months of the season, the Mets owned the best ERA in baseball at 2.88. The last two months of the season? The Mets had the sixth-worst ERA in baseball (4.96). Starters in the first two months posted a 2.89 ERA, but posted a 5.65 ERA in August and September.

Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes are all penciled in to return in 2026, but all suffered more lows than highs in 2025 (except Holmes). Manaea and Senga dealt with injuries for most of the season and never found their groove, while Peterson had an All-Star caliber first-half but fatigue struck in the second-half (3.06 ERA vs. 6.34 ERA). Then, of course, Nolan McLean dazzled in his shortened rookie season with Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong having hot-and-cold starts.

So, who is the Mets’ ace? They never added at the deadline, and David Stearns stressed run prevention in his post-mortem presser. McLean feels like the obvious choice and most dependable right now, but it feels too early in his career to bestow that honor on him.

They have to add, there’s no question about it. Do they address via the free agent market (Zac Gallen, Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez) or strike a trade for someone like Mitch Keller, Sandy Alcantara or Logan Gilbert? Or do the Mets get even more aggressive and aim for someone like Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal (one year from free agency)?

Of course, this is all just speculation, but there’s no doubt the Mets must add pitching depth. The question is who the Mets designate as their reliable, go-to arm, and if that man is already here or if he’s somewhere else.

Who returns? And more importantly, who leaves?

Pete Alonso already made it clear he was opting out of his contract, dipping his toes in the free agency market once more. Edwin Díaz was undecided, but will likely opt out as well. Joining them in the free agent market will be OF Jesse Winker, OF Starling Marte, OF Cedric Mullins, RP Tyler Rogers, RP Ryne Stanek, RP Gregory Soto, RP Ryan Helsley and SP Griffin Canning. It’s a big crop of departures, and with the first base market slim outside of Josh Naylor and maybe Paul Goldschmidt, Alonso feels like a must to return. More on the bullpen later, but Díaz, too, feels like a must as well.

What will be interesting to keep an eye on is who departs the team, especially via trade. Stearns seemed open to all possibilities to stay aggressive and keep the team a contender, which could mean trading away members of the “core” Mets. Names like Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos will surely be tossed, as will Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, and other top prospects.

To build a sustainable roster, the Mets might have to part with some mainstays to return to October.

How big of a shakeup is coming for the coaching staff?

We know Carlos Mendoza is safe, but after that, everything is uncertain. Glenn Sherlock, the team’s catching coach, was the first to exit after announcing his retirement.

After an up-and-down offense the past couple of years, hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes lead the pack as hot-seat names. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner joins the group on the chopping block. All three predated David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza. Interestingly, the assistant pitching coach position was created for Desi Druschel in 2025. If Hefner leaves, Druschel might see a promotion.

Safe? First base coach Antoan Richardson, who completely overhauled the Mets’ running game. The Mets stole the fifth-most bases in 2025 (147) after tying for the 16th-most in 2024 (106).

The Bullpen

The bullpen will need to be rebuilt from scratch; there’s no doubt about it. The team holds an option for LHP Brooks Raley, and after his phenomenal shortened 2025 campaign, the Mets will all but likely pick up. After that, Reed Garrett will likely undergo Tommy John surgery. Dedniel Núñez is recovering from Tommy John, as are RHP Drew Smith and LHP Danny Young. LHP A.J. Minter, who missed most of 2025 after suffering a torn lat muscle, will likely not opt out so he can rehab with the team. And then? Question marks.

If the team cannot re-sign Díaz, they will need to find an elite closer first and foremost and build the pen out from there. The Mets relied on a next-man-up platoon in 2025, and while it kept them afloat at times, it is not sustainable in the long run. Of course, most of that overuse came from starters not going deep into games …

The Defense

David Stearns teased in his presser that he was open to moving players around the diamond to help the team in the run prevention department. In 2025, the Mets ranked 21st in OAA (-12). Francisco Lindor was by far their best fielder, posting a five outs above average at shortstop. Tyrone Taylor was next-best at four, then Ronny Mauricio at three, Jeff McNeil (two) and Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty tied for one outs above average. For reference, Lindor played in 160 games, Taylor in 113, McNeil in 122, Baty in 130, Mauricio in 61 and Acuña in 95.

For reference, the Mets posted a four OAA in 2024, 15th-best in MLB, -14 in 2023 (24th) and 10 OAA in 2022 (eighth-best). Suffice to say, defense doomed the Mets at times in games, especially close ones, contributing to their late-season collapse. Per Stearns, the team will look at possibly repositioning players to better suit them this season, and noted that defensive versatility is still something desired. He pointed to Baty’s ability to play second base, and well, as a highlight of the 2025 campaign. For others who might find a logjam at a position? It may seem like the end of their time in Queens.

Does this mean Soto shifts over to DH after posting a -12 OAA (first percentile) in 2025? Or if the team re-signs Pete, is it primarily as a designated hitter after he posted a negative nine OAA (second percentile) in 2025? One thing is certain: Stearns and the Mets will prioritize run prevention this offseason. Expect that to come in their defense alignment and pitching staff.

Bonus: Which prospects enter the conversation?

After the success of Nolan McLean in 2025, the team quickly called up Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong to mixed results. Stearns noted all three will have roles on the 2026 roster, but did not comment on what they would be. McLean feels like a shoo-in for an Opening Day roster spot, but who else is behind him? How long will it take for the team to call up the likes of Jett Williams or Carson Benge?

Time will tell how the team handles their offseason business, but expect the Mets’ farm to play a role in their offseason and 2026 plans.

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