The New York Mets still need an ace-level starting pitcher, outfielder as offseason winds down.
The New York Mets have made several notable additions to improve the club’s defense and pitching staff, though they haven’t added a frontline starter yet.
Their two biggest pitching acquisitions are ex-New York Yankees relievers, right-handed closers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, and they are responsible for shoring up the backend of the bullpen after losing star closer Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But the Mets still lack an ace, and the noise of a potential Tarik Skubal trade has died down tremendously. The team missed out on right-hander Dylan Cease, left-hander Ranger Suarez and right-hander Tatsuya Imai, three of the biggest free agent starting pitchers that were available.
That leaves two-time All-Star lefty Framber Valdez. The Mets and Baltimore Orioles are the favorites to land Valdez’s services, but with the way last season ended for New York, landing Valdez seems more important for the Mets than it is for the Orioles.
On top of landing Valdez, the Mets must add an outfielder. Whether that outfielder is star-caliber or not remains to be seen, but with the recent addition of infielder Bo Bichette, a cheaper outfield option seems more likely.
Outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger seems like a great fit for the Mets, but with the reports of him seeking a lengthy and expensive seven-year deal, it doesn’t seem like the team will go that long.
Adding a familiar face on a cheap, short-term deal is probably the route president of baseball operations David Stearns will go down. Who fits that bill? Former Mets centerfielder Harrison Bader.
Bader had his best offensive season in Major League Baseball in 2025, hitting .277 with a .796 OPS and setting career-highs in games played (146), hits (124), doubles (24), home runs (17), RBI (54) and OPS+ (117). The nine-year veteran is known for his defensive prowess, but he showed that he can produce offensively.
The Mets did give him run as a starting outfielder in 2024, playing in 143 games, but he didn’t produce nearly as well at the dish. He hit 12 home runs and drove in 51 runs but had a batting average of .236 and an OPS of just .657. However, New York knows how valuable his glove is.
With the Mets, Bader ranked in the 94th percentile in range (nine outs above average), 86th percentile in arm strength (90.1 miles per hour) and 70th percentile in arm value.
Bellinger is a phenomenal player and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense at multiple positions, but if the asking price is too much, Bader would be an excellent addition to the outfield.