MMO Roundtable: Who Should Be The Mets’ Top Priority Free Agent?

How can we make sure the 2026 season isn’t a repeat of the 2025 season? By making some changes this offseason. By signing the right people. So, who should be the Mets’ top priority free agent? Is it Pete Alonso? Is it someone else? Here’s who our team wants to see rocking the blue and orange next year.

David Melendi

I’m torn. My heart says Pete Alonso, but my head says Framber Valdez. I want the Mets to prioritize pitching to compete with the Phillies for the division and the Dodgers for the pennant. I’d go all in on pitching this offseason, sign Valdez (or Ranger Suarez), and try to trade for Tarik Skubal. I am for re-signing Alonso, but pitching comes first.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

Other than retaining their players who are opting out, starting pitching needs to be the top priority for the Mets. Nolan McLean has the makings of a young ace, but it would be unfair to put all the pressure on him leading the staff in his first full season in the majors. There isn’t a true ace-type pitcher on the free agent market, but there a few intriguing names. After the 2019 season, the Mets saw Zack Wheeler sign with the Phillies in free agency. This year, the Mets should try to get some revenge and sign Ranger Suárez to bolster the rotation. He’s a solid lefty who’s proven he can be a frontline starter, and he has an excellent postseason track record.

Christian De Block

The biggest priority needs to be adding quality arms to the rotation. Although I think the Mets can facilitate a trade to do that —whether it is for Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Freddy Peralta, etc. —Edwin Díaz is a priority, especially with so many impending free agents in the bullpen. But in terms of this free agency class, the focus should and will be on Pete Alonso. A middle-of-the-order bat is needed, whether it is him or someone else. If the Mets trade for a starter, Alonso should be prioritized in free agency.

Matthew Tutrone

Edwin Díaz hasn’t officially opted out yet, but if he does, then re-signing him is the top priority. He’s a proven elite closer in his prime. If Edwin doesn’t opt out, then the next highest priority will likely be to sign a true slugger to hit behind Lindor and Soto at the top of the lineup. I’d prefer the return of Pete Alonso, but Kyle Schwarber would be great, too. A strong case could be made to prioritize bringing in a veteran starting pitcher or two, and I’d definitely like to see them bring in some quality reinforcements, but I get the sense that Stearns has a lot of faith in the young arms and will hope for bounce-back seasons from the current vets.

Nick Kalantzopoulos

There are a lot of difficult decisions coming for the Mets in free agency. In terms of starting pitching, there isn’t a player out there without a bunch of red flags. Edwin Díaz was great last year but there are a ton of big-name relievers on the market, and the Mets need quantity as well as quality. Pete Alonso, while a poor defender, is the hardest player to replace. There are multiple players that can do a good job replicating his power, but they’re almost exclusively lefties, and the Mets already are very left-handed at the top of their order. I think there’s a solid chance this year’s free agency period is a carbon copy of 2024 for Alonso, and for the Mets’ sake, hopefully that is the case.

Mike Mayer

David Stearns repeatedly talked about run prevention in his end-of-year press conference, and who am I to argue with him? Obviously, keeping Edwin Díaz would be a big key to a strong offseason, but I believe the Mets need to acquire a top-of-the-rotation pitcher (s) to take the next step. The price for Tarik Skubal will certainly be significant, and the Mets should absolutely be aggressive in that market. However, if they aren’t able to acquire him, they need to look to the free agent market that will include Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Tatsuya Imai.

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