2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: New York Mets

Despite a strong first two-and-a-half months, the Mets failed to make the playoffs in 2025. And after that “slow-motion collapse,” the Mets’ brass opted for wholesale changes. That saw many familiar faces go — but several notables take their place on the roster for 2026.

Additions

• INF Bo Bichette
• INF/OF Vidal Brujan
• RP Luis Garcia
• RP Joey Gerber
• OF MJ Melendez
• SP Freddy Peralta
• INF Jorge Polanco
• OF Luis Robert Jr.
• 2B Marcus Semien
• RP Luke Weaver
• RP Devin Williams

After what was a precipitous drop from top-tier contender to non-playoff team over the course of three months, the Mets drastically shook up the team.

To replace the losses (we’ll get to that in the next section), the Mets revamped nearly the entire infield, bringing in Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, and Bo Bichette.

Polanco, who will slot in as a 1B/DH this season, comes over from Seattle after a resurgent 2025 season. The switch-hitter hit 26 home runs and 56 extra-base hits for the Mariners last season and is likely slotted to be in the middle of the Mets’ lineup in some capacity.

Marcus Semien was acquired in a late November trade with the Rangers. Semien had two great seasons in Texas (2022 and 2023) before his offensive production slipped. The ex-Ranger reportedly had a “toxic” relationship with fellow middle infielder Corey Seager, although the latter stated in February that the two were professional with one another.

The new Met is very good defensively at second, which has been a hallmark of his game since he moved to the position to accommodate then-Blue Jay shortstop Bo Bichette. However, despite a BB% over 9% last year, the slugging percentage was not high in a season where he posted a .669 OPS.

Speaking of Bo Bichette, he was the marquee addition of the Mets’ winter. Bichette signed with the team shortly after the Mets missed out on Kyle Tucker.

The now-third baseman excels at putting the ball in play and going the other way. Bichette may very well have the pleasure of hitting behind Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. It could put Bichette in a favorable position to drive in a lot of runs.

Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta were also brought in via separate January trades.

Robert Jr. is a well-known hacker who loves to expand beyond the zone. There was less of that in 2025, particularly because he saw more action out of the zone as teams were pitching around him. The perks, though, are the power and plus range out in center field.

Peralta, a pending free agent after 2026, was one of baseball’s best starters over the last three seasons and lines up as a true ace for the Mets.

Losses

• INF Luisangel Acuna
• 1B Pete Alonso
• SP Griffin Canning
• RP Jose Castillo
• RP Edwin Diaz
• RP Ryan Helsley
• RP Max Kranick
• OF Starling Marte
• INF/OF Jeff McNeil
• SP Frankie Montas
• OF Cedric Mullins
• OF Brandon Nimmo
• RP Tyler Rogers
• RP Gregory Soto
• RP Ryne Stanek
• OF Jesse Winker
• RP Danny Young

That is a very lengthy list, to say the least.

The Mets didn’t re-sign any of the notable rentals brought in last summer. Ryan Helsley (Orioles), Gregory Soto (Pirates), Tyler Rogers (Blue Jays), and Cedric Mullins (Rays) all found new homes.

However, the most notable players on this list were the many household names who made up the Mets’ core over the last six seasons.

Edwin Diaz, the reigning NL Reliever of the Year, signed with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. It wasn’t because the Mets didn’t want Diaz; reportedly, the Mets made an offer just shy of the one that he ultimately accepted with Los Angeles.

Brandon Nimmo, a stalwart of the Mets for nearly a decade, was traded to Texas for Marcus Semien. Jeff McNeil, a former NL batting champion, was traded to the A’s in a salary dump. And then, there’s Pete Alonso.

Alonso, the Mets’ all-time home run leader, signed with the Orioles after the Mets reportedly showed little interest in bringing him back. The slugging first baseman had arguably the second-best season of his career in 2025, which helped Alonso win his first Silver Slugger award.

Additionally, the Mets took the loss on Frankie Montas, who will miss all of 2026 due to injury. Montas was released in the winter.

Overview

Even though the Mets made several significant trades over the winter, those moves only cost the team some of their prospect capital. The likes of Jonah Tong, Carson Benge, and A.J. Ewing are still with the organization, notable given that the team is trying to build a sustainable winner.

But to do that, the job starts with winning in 2026.

The Mets’ rotation, on paper, is much improved. Nolan McLean proved he can get outs now, while Peralta will look to give the Mets steady outings and length, something that the team did not get too much of last season.

New York’s bullpen will be something to watch. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver were brought in over the winter, and both act as de facto replacements for Diaz and Helsley. To piece together innings, the Mets may need to rely a lot on pitchers like Richard Lovelady, Huascar Brazoban, and perhaps, flamethrower Ryan Lambert.