Mets overhaul roster, landing ace Peralta and bolstering lineup. Can these bold moves propel them to NL East glory?
It was another offseason in which the New York Mets found themselves in a big chunk of headlines. As the winter started, the Mets lost two key players in closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Pete Alonso – it looked like 2026 was somehow going to be even worse than 2025. Luckily, the Mets’ front office came alive at the start of the new year, making several changes to the roster to boost them back into National League contender conversations.
For asserting themselves as one of baseball’s best teams yet again, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has given the Mets an ‘A-’ grade in his offseason report cards. Alongside the ranking, Bowden predicts New York to finish the 2026 campaign at the top of the NL East.
New York made roster-changing moves in free agency and on the trade market. They signed relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to soften the blow of Diaz’s departure. Infielders Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco will be playing at new positions than they’re used to; Bichette at third and Polanco at first.
Two additions to the infield weren’t enough, as the Mets also traded for Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. It was the first of several key trades this winter for the Mets. They then sent out Jeff McNeil after their sudden influx of infield talent.
Prospects Luisangel Acuna and Truman Pauley were involved in a deal that landed the Mets a former All-Star center fielder, Luis Robert Jr., to help fill out the thin outfield in New York. Still, the front office wasn't done. In perhaps the most impactful transaction of the offseason, the Mets traded for right-handed ace Freddy Peralta in exchange for prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.
With all of the new faces that will be playing key roles for the Mets in 2026, there is tons of optimism around the team’s chances this season. There are still some areas of the roster that could be improved by an additional move, however, such as the outfield or starting rotation.
Question marks surround the reliability of Mets starters from 2025, like Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea. If they can get back to pre-All-Star-break form, the Mets' rotation will be one of the most potent in the league. If they continue where they left off in 2025, however, New York’s chances at making a postseason push are significantly damaged.
Every team in baseball has question marks – it’s not unique to New York. The changes they have made to their roster are enough to put them back as contenders in the minds of baseball fans. After a collapse in 2025, a placement back as a true contender is enough for Mets fans to be happy about entering this season.