The New York Mets are seeking an ace for the 2026 season and beyond with the team’s offseason focus being run prevention.
The Mets have already made several moves to address this focus, with the team trading left fielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for veteran second baseman Marcus Semien and signing right-handed reliever/closer Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal.
Run prevention was the reason the Mets didn’t bring star first baseman Pete Alonso back, because although he is a dominant hitter and perhaps the best at his position, he is far from an average defender. New York was willing to bring him back if the scenario of his market being thin presented itself like it did last year, but the Baltimore Orioles shifted to Alonso as soon as Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Mets will improve defensively at first base, but the offense will take a massive hit (no pun intended) if they can’t find someone who can replicate a fraction of what Alonso was able to accomplish on a yearly basis.
How do you combat your offense getting weaker? Go out and sign (or trade for) a stud pitcher to anchor the starting rotation.
Not having an ace has hurt the Mets in the past, and their lack of depth showed when the team was forced to bring up their top three pitching prospects this season. The top name, Dylan Cease, is already off board, but the Mets have plenty of options to mull over.
One option could be an All-Star lefty from within the division, The Washington Nationals are expected to move promising left-hander MacKenzie Gore at some point this offseason and the Mets have the assets to get a deal done if they decide to pursue him.
“Where there is smoke, there is fire, meaning Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore will be moved,” ESPN’s Jesse Rogers wrote Thursday. “His name came up a lot in Orlando and there are enough motivated teams in part because he's good and affordable.”
It might not be the best fit, considering the Nats probably don’t want to see their high-potential lefty go to a division rival, but if New York offers something Washington can’t refuse, he could be a Met in the near future.
Gore’s season was up and down but he was the Nationals’ selection for the Midsummer Classic in 2025. He was 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 30 starts (159.2 innings) and recorded 185 strikeouts.
New York needs a strikeout guy and Washington needs assets in general. If the Mets can’t sign someone to lead the rotation in free agency, the team should be in play for Gore's services.