The New York Mets have their sights set on a specific improvement this offseason: run prevention.

Run prevention is a broad term, but Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is in the market for pitching and defensive upgrades. This aspiration for winter is telling of how the team views first baseman Pete Alonso, who opted out of his contract to test free agency.

Last season, Alonso was a free agent but his market was thin, so he returned to the Mets on a short-term deal. Alonso may be the best hitting first baseman in Major League Baseball, but he isn’t a strong defender, and that could be what ends the partnership between him and New York.

ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wouldn’t be surprised if 2025 was the last season for Alonso in a Mets uniform.

“The Mets have significant decisions to make, starting with two beloved stars: Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. Both All-Stars opted out of their contracts. Either player returning to Queens is far from a guarantee,” Castillo wrote Friday. “Ultimately, it will depend on how David Stearns, president of baseball operations, values first base and the closer role. Last offseason, Stearns didn't budge on giving a long-term deal to Alonso. He probably won't this time around either.”

Bringing back right-handed closer Edwin Diaz would help with run prevention as he has been one of the league’s top closers when healthy. In three of Diaz’s six seasons with New York, he has put up sub-2.00 ERAs, including in 2025 (1.63 ERA over 62 appearances). He converted 28 saves in 31 opportunities.

“Stearns has reiterated that he wants to improve the club's run prevention, which means upgrades on defense and in the pitching staff. A front-line starter is a priority as is adding multiple relievers. Stearns shared this week that he views Kodai Senga as part of the starting rotation, but teams have shown interest in trading for the veteran right-hander after a rocky 2025.

“‘I think if a front-line pitcher, top-of-the-rotation pitcher is available, we're going to be involved in those discussions,’ Stearns said. ‘We do have the depth and quality of farm system at this point that we can both have those players impact our major league team in a real way and, potentially, trade some of them to get some really near-term help, if that's available.’”

The Mets will be very busy this winter and after the disappointing collapse over the course of the second half, expect the Mets to thoroughly address their weaknesses.