New York Mets Urged To Sign Recent Cy Young Candidate To Fix Pitching Woes

The 2025 season was a tale of two halves for the New York Mets. After a scorching start that saw them 21 games over .500 in June, the team collapsed in spectacular fashion, missing the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. While multiple factors contributed to the downfall, the primary culprit was a starting rotation that faltered when it mattered most. As the organization heads into a pivotal offseason, rumors are already swirling about how President of Baseball Operations David Stearns plans to address this glaring weakness. One name has emerged as a prime target: Dylan Cease.

The Collapse of the New York Mets’ Rotation

To understand why the Mets are being linked to a frontline starter, one only needs to look at their performance down the stretch. The rotation, which seemed adequate for the first half of the season, became a liability in August and September. Outside of a few solid performances, the starting staff struggled to provide quality innings, putting immense pressure on the bullpen and an offense that also had its share of slumps. The team was historically bad in the second half, a direct result of its inability to rely on its starting pitchers.

According to Danny Abriano of SNY, reshaping the starting rotation is the most important task for the Mets this offseason. However, it’s a complicated endeavor. The team already has several pitchers under contract for 2026, including the injured Frankie Montas, who is unlikely to contribute. This makes adding a high-priced free agent a complex but necessary move. The front office cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the last offseason, where a failure to acquire a top-tier arm like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried may have cost them a playoff berth.

Why Dylan Cease is a Top Target

Bleacher Report has identified the New York Mets as the top landing spot for Dylan Cease, and the logic is sound. The Mets need a durable, high-upside pitcher who can anchor the top half of their rotation. Cease, despite a down year, fits that description perfectly.

The argument for pursuing Cease is built on his immense potential and proven ace-level performance. Just two seasons ago, in 2022, he was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In that remarkable campaign with the Chicago White Sox, Cease finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting after posting a stellar 2.20 ERA over 184 innings. He struck out 227 batters and demonstrated the kind of overpowering stuff that teams build rotations around. That version of Dylan Cease is exactly what the Mets are missing.

His 2025 season with the San Diego Padres was less impressive, as he ended the year with a 4.55 ERA. However, underlying metrics suggest he may have been the victim of some bad luck. Furthermore, his ability to take the mound every fifth day is a valuable commodity. A durable arm with ace potential is a rare find in free agency, making Cease a highly attractive, albeit risky, option.

The High-Risk, High-Reward Proposition

Signing Dylan Cease would not be without its risks. His inconsistency is a valid concern. Can he recapture his 2022 form, or is his 2025 performance a more accurate reflection of the pitcher he is now? Any team that signs him will be betting on the former. The Mets, under owner Steve Cohen, have shown a willingness to take calculated financial risks to build a contender. A pursuit of Cease would fall squarely into that category.

The potential reward, however, is enormous. If Cease can return to form, he would provide the Mets with a legitimate frontline starter to pair with their other arms. A rotation featuring a resurgent Cease would look formidable and significantly improve the team’s chances of not just making the playoffs, but making a deep run. His strikeout ability would give the team a weapon it currently lacks at the top of its rotation.

The Mets’ front office faces a clear mandate this winter: fix the starting pitching. Relying on stopgap solutions and hoping for the best proved to be a failing strategy in 2025. The pursuit of a high-ceiling pitcher like Dylan Cease would signal a commitment to addressing the problem head-on.

What to Expect This Offseason

This rumor is more than just speculation; it’s a logical connection between a team with a clear need and a player with the potential to fill it. While Cease will have many suitors, the Mets have the financial muscle and the desperate need to be serious contenders for his signature.

David Stearns and his team will have their work cut out for them as they navigate a complex market. But as the 2025 season proved, inaction is not an option. The Mets need to make a major splash to overhaul their rotation, and Dylan Cease could be the perfect candidate to lead the charge. The coming months will reveal if this high-stakes gamble is one they are willing to take.