LOS ANGELES — The Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in a trade for minor league right-hander Adriano Marrero.
The speedy Ruiz led the American League with 67 stolen bases for the Athletics in 2023. He is a career .241 hitter during four major league seasons with four teams, but excels as a baserunner and a defender.
The Dodgers acquired Ruiz from the A’s last April, and he was a little-used reserve when he was in the majors for the back-to-back World Series champions. Ruiz batted .190 in 19 games for Los Angeles, largely playing as a defensive replacement or a pinch runner.
The Marlins designated infielder Eric Wagaman for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for Ruiz. The trade opened a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
As a capable backup outfielder, Ruiz could be the Marlins’ replacement for Dane Myers, who was traded to Cincinnati last weekend.
Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons.
“I am now ready to return my focus and energy to being a husband, father, family man and active member of my community,” he wrote on social media. “I’m retiring from baseball, but I hope to give back more than I received.”
A 34-year-old left-hander, Heaney was 56-72 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 starts and 22 relief appearances for Miami (2014), the Los Angeles Angels (2015-21), the New York Yankees (2021), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022, 2025), Texas (2023-24) and Pittsburgh (2025), which signed him to a one-year, $5.25 million contract in February.
He was 5-10 with a 5.52 ERA this year in 23 starts and four relief appearances. He was released by the Pirates on Aug. 29, signed with the Dodgers three days later and made one appearance for Los Angeles, allowing three runs over two innings at Seattle on Sept. 27. He did not pitch in the postseason.
Heaney started and won Game 4 of the 2023 World Series for Texas, allowing one run over five innings.
To refer to the Mets' offseason to this point as polarizing would be a huge understatement.
With New York trading Brandon Nimmo, letting Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso walk via free agency, and dealing Jeff McNeil, the core has been stripped down to the beams. Never before in the history of the franchise has something this drastic happened in one offseason with core players who were not only still effective, but beloved by the fans.
The Diaz and Alonso departures happening in a 24-hour span resulted in most of the fan base being disoriented, and the slow pace of the offseason since then -- not just for the Mets, but nearly every team -- has left the mystery of what's to come hanging in the air. In other words, it has been uncomfortable.
But that doesn't mean David Stearns doesn't have a plan.
Before exploring what that plan might entail, it's important to dissect each of the above moves separately instead of attempting to lump them all together.
Dealing Nimmo to the Rangers ahead of his age-33 season and with five years left on his contract made baseball sense, especially with his offense and outfield defense declining. That the player coming back (second baseman Marcus Semien) wasn't a Nimmo replacement means the trade is impossible to grade until the next outfield move comes.
Alonso signing with the Orioles on a five-year contract for $155 million was a gut punch for many fans. But it's hard to argue that the Mets extending that far on Alonso would've been a smart move. There is a serious issue without Alonso, though, and it's the tough task of replacing his power.
McNeil departing was something you could see coming since the end of the 2025 season. And once New York added Semien, there was no longer a regular role for him.
I saved the Diaz departure for last because it's the only one that left me flummoxed.
Edwin Diaz posing with Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes (right) and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (left) / Screenshot/Sportsnet LA
You can say that Diaz leaving to sign with the Dodgers was proof that he simply wanted to go there. But I reject that belief. Most of the time, players go where the most money is, and that's what happened in this case. Anything Diaz said at his introductory news conference in Los Angeles is a waste to analyze, unless you were expecting him to put his new cap and jersey on and say he wished he was still a Met.
The Mets being willing to extend to three years and $66 million for Diaz tells you they wanted to retain him, unless they were playing some weird game of chicken while daring him to leave. So that they lost him for relative pennies suggests that something went haywire communication-wise at the end of the negotiation or that the Mets balked at his ultimate price.
Pair the above with the fact that the signings of Jorge Polanco (who might be asked to play lots of first base)and Luke Weaver are the only big moves New York has made over the last month or so, and the result is this weird, uncomfortable limbo where much more has to be coming -- but with it being fair for people to not totally trust the process until the end product is visible.
So, what should the plan be?
Find a top of the rotation starting pitcher
This was the Mets' biggest need when the offseason started, and the rotation has still not been upgraded with the offseason two months old.
To get this out of the way: The Mets don't need an "ace," which is a label thrown around too lightly. There are only a handful of true aces in the sport, and they are incredibly difficult to procure. If New York somehow lands Tarik Skubal from the Tigers? Great. If not, there are plenty of top of the rotation starters (someone who could slide into the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in a rotation) out there.
Via the trade market, the Mets could target someone like Nick Pivetta of the Padres, Freddy Peralta of the Brewers, or Joe Ryan of the Twins. New York has the prospect capital to get it done, but it takes two to tango.
Sep 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (not pictured) with the bases loaded in the fourth inning at American Family Field. / Benny Sieu - Imagn Images
If Valdez can be had on a three- or four-year deal, it will be difficult to make a case against the Mets going out and getting him.
The Mets' 2025 season was torpedoed due in large part to the rotation failing and Stearns not being decisive enough in addressing it (something he admitted after the season). The starting staff must be significantly bolstered this time around.
Add one legitimate starting outfielder
As things currently stand, New York's outfield is Juan Soto in right field and question marks in both center and left.
With top prospect Carson Benge expected to contribute in a serious way this season, it's fair to believe that only one legitimate outfielder should be added -- with the other spot going to either Benge from the jump or to a placeholder until Benge is ready.
Most of the focus has been on free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. Perhaps Tucker becomes a fit if no team is willing to give him the long-term deal he wants. And maybe Bellinger switches boroughs if the Yankees aren't aggressive enough.
But if Tucker and Bellinger get enormous paydays, the trade market should be where the Mets turn to try to fill their outfield need.
It's possible that the Red Sox will trade Jarren Duran, and the White Sox -- barring something truly strange happening -- will finally part with Luis Robert Jr.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs out of the dugout before the start of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. / Eric Canha - Imagn Images
Other options could include San Diego's Ramon Laureano and an outside-the-box option like Arizona infielder Ketel Marte, who could theoretically slide to left field.
Find a second serious bat
After the Mets downgraded the offense by dealing Nimmo and letting Alonso go as a free agent, they were left needing three legit bats.
They found one of them by signing Polanco, and will likely get another with whoever they bring in as a starting outfielder.
As far as that third bat?
The Mets could add a first baseman and make Polanco the regular DH.
They could sign someone like Eugenio Suarez and have him be the DH.
They could also get creative and do something like sign Alex Bregman to play third base and shift Brett Baty to first.
Bolster the bullpen
Along with Weaver and Williams, the Mets' bullpen in 2026 is expected to include left-handers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley -- though the start of Minter's season could be a bit delayed following lat surgery this past May.
Huascar Brazoban also figures to be in the bullpen mix, as do hard-throwing prospects Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert.
Other relievers who could compete for roles include Jonathan Pintaro (who made his big league debut last season) and Adbert Alzolay (who is on a two-year minor league deal and missed the 2025 season).
But while there are plenty of possible options, the Mets need more certainty -- especially at the back end.
Among the intriguing relievers available are Trevor Megill of the Brewers and Jeremiah Estrada of the Padres.
Rangers are winless in their last four league meetings with St Mirren (D2 L2); only in November 1904 and August 1984 have they ever gone five without a win over the Buddies.
St Mirren won their last league visit to Rangers 2-0 in February last season, but have never won successive such trips, with this their 126th in league competition.
Rangers have only lost their final league game once in the last eight calendar years (W5 D2), going down 2-1 to Celtic in 2023. When facing a side other than Old Firm rivals Celtic to round off a year, the Gers have only lost their final league game once in the last 31 years (W26 D4), losing 4-0 to Hibernian in the Scottish Championship in 2014.
St Mirren have only won their final league game in one of the last five calendar years (D1 L3), beating Aberdeen 1-0 in 2023.
Only Alexandros Kyziridis (45) has created more chances in the Scottish Premiership this season than both Rangers' James Tavernier (36) and St Mirren's Declan John (30).
Jeff McNeil’s time in the Big Apple officially came to an end earlier this week.
McNeil joined the Mets as a 12th-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Long Beach State University.
After grinding through the minors, he finally received his shot in the bigs during the 2018 campaign.
He would establish himself as a regular in New York’s lineup with his versatile glove and slap-hitting ways.
McNeil finished his Mets tenure with a .286 average, 193 doubles, 80 homers, 367 RBI, and a .779 OPS in 923 games.
He also racked up a pair of All-Star appearances, a Silver Slugger, and a batting title.
The 33-year-old took to social media to say goodbye to the organization on Saturday night.
“New York will always be part of my story,” McNeil wrote. “The Mets organization is all I've ever known since being drafted, and it has been an incredible run. I'm incredibly thankful for every moment, every lesson, and every memory along the way.
“I'm especially grateful for the fans who welcomed me and my family and made New York feel like home for so long. Thank you to Steve and Alex Cohen, the coaching staff, and my teammates who made this journey so meaningful," he continued.
"With so much gratitude, it’s time to turn the page and embrace the next chapter in green and gold."
The Yankees can now say they’ve added another veteran MVP to their roster – well, sort of.
The club has seemingly agreed to a contract with reigning Mexican League MVP and outfielder Nick Torres. While a deal hasn’t been confirmed by the club, Algodoneros Unión Laguna
, Torres' Mexican League team, bid farewell to their star in a social media post on Saturday, wishing the 32-year-old luck and to “keep growing and fulfill one more dream” as a member of the Yankees.
Torres, a California native selected by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, hasn’t played in an MiLB-affiliated game since 2018.
The righty-swinger climbed the minor-league ranks between 2014-18, but never received a promotion to the majors. Working as a corner outfielder and first baseman in the Padres and Rangers systems, he played in 212 Double-A games and 71 Triple-A games, hitting a combined .267.
Torres joined the Mexican League in 2019, and in his most recent campaign, he slashed a robust .347/.425/.730 with 27 home runs and 79 RBI across 86 games for Unión Laguna.
Since 2021, he's hit .343 with a 1.025 OPS for the Mexican League club.
Gracias, Nick Torres, por cada juego, cada entrega y cada emoción que nos regalaste. Por la forma en que has conectado con la afición, por convertirte en referente, en ídolo y en uno de los jugadores más queridos de esta casa. Tu paso por el Revolución deja huella en el diamante,… pic.twitter.com/B8SQTZznOz
As the 2025-26 offseason continues, the market for starters continues to evolve and it looks like the number of suitors for Marlins RHP Edward Cabrera has shrunk.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Orioles and Astros are "no longer involved" in trade talks for Cabrera. Jackson reports the Marlins don't want to sell short on Cabrera.
The 27-year-old Cabrera had a career year for the Marlins in 2025. He pitched to a 3.53 ERA and 1.228 WHIP with a career-high 150 strikeouts and 48 walks in 137.2 innings over 26 starts last year. He has a career 4.07 ERA over 89 outings (87 starts) after breaking into the league during the 2021 season. He was injured twice this past season, but the big selling point is the team control.
Cabrera is under contract for three more seasons, something that could potentially pique the Mets' interest.
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that the Marlins were "progressing" in their efforts to find a trade partner to acquire Cabrera. The Orioles' involvement was known then, but there were other clubs inquiring with the Marlins.
Of course, the Mets are in the market for starting pitching, whether in the free agency or trade markets. They, along with the Giants and Orioles, were among the teams that reportedly met with free agent Framber Valdez.The former Astros lefty is arguably the biggest starting pitching name remaining in the free agent market. Other free agents include Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen and Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai.
As for the trade market, the Brewers' Freddy Peralta is a name that has been thrown out there in addition to the Marlins' Sandy Alcantara and Ryan Weathers. Marlins trade reports surrounding those two heated up on Dec. 5, when it was reported that the Marlins were in the market to trade one of their starting pitchers. However, it seems Miami is less likely to deal Alcantara.
The Miami Herald's report included that Miami wants to keep Alcantara, and it would take an incredible offer for the team to consider dealing the former NL Cy Young winner.
Currently, the Mets have a starting rotation that includes Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean. They have depth pieces like youngsters Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, who made their MLB debuts late this past season, and Christian Scott, returning from 2024 Tommy John surgery.
The 28-year-old outfielder reportedly has agreed on a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds, FanSided’s Robert Murray first reported Saturday morning, citing sources.
Sources: Free-agent outfielder JJ Bleday and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a contract. Bleday, 28, was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft and has spent time in the majors with the Marlins and A’s.
As Murray notes, Bleday was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He spent the past three seasons with the Athletics.
Over his Athletics tenure, Bleday hit 44 home runs with a .723 OPS from the 2023 to 2025 seasons. He struggled a bit last season after a promising 2024 campaign, slashing .212/.294/.404 for a .698 OPS with 14 homers.
The Athletics DFA’d Bleday in November, the first indication that his time with the Athletics was nearing an end.
Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the Athletics have agreed to an $86 million, seven-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal includes a club option for an eighth season, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized.
Soderstrom’s agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, contains bonus provisions that could raise its value to $131 million, the person said.
Soderstrom started 145 of the 158 games he played this year — 100 of those starts in left field — his first full major league season after making his debut in 2023 and playing 45 games before 61 last year. He batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with 141 strikeouts and 55 walks this past season.
Drafted 26th overall by the A’s in 2020, the 24-year-old Soderstrom has locked in a long-term contract to stay close to where he grew up in Turlock, California. He was on track to become eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and for free agency after the 2029 season.
Planning to move to Las Vegas for 2028, the A’s last offseason agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. The team is entering the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento.
The Athletics reportedly have locked up slugger Tyler Soderstrom.
The 24-year-old left fielder and the A’s have agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday on Christmas Day, adding that the deal includes an eighth-year club option with escalators that max out its value at $131 million.
It’s quite the Christmas gift for A’s fans and Soderstrom as the largest guarantee in franchise history.
BREAKING: Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the A's are in agreement on a seven-year, $86 million contract extension, the largest guarantee in franchise history, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes an eighth-year club option and has escalators that max it out at $131 million.
The deal shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to fans of the Green and Gold, as manager Mark Kotsay recently emphasized the organization’s desire to keep its young core together for the foreseeable future — specifically naming Soderstrom, who took a huge leap in 2025, as part of that group.
“There’s a big effort there to keep this group together, there really is. I know ownership is making that effort…” Kotsay told reporters at the MLB Winter Meetings earlier this month. “If you look at the group prior to this that you could identify as a group you want to move forward with, the group that came together in ‘17 and ‘18 and ‘19 – the resources weren’t there to keep that group together.
“I think there’s a vision and a future here going forward with this group that we’re able to at least get those opportunities out in front of these players. At the same point, it takes two to come to the table and reach that agreement and make that commitment.”
Soderstrom and the A’s appear to have had a great conversation at said table, with the franchise-record deal coming on the heels of a campaign where he moved from first base to the outfield and made waves with both his glove and his bat.
In his third MLB season, Soderstrom slashed .276/.323/.431 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI. He also was an American League Gold Glove finalist for left field after being drafted as a catcher by the Athletics in 2020 and opening the 2025 campaign as the team’s starting first baseman.
Soderstrom’s move to the outfield proved beneficial — and, of course, made way for first baseman Nick Kurtz, who went on to win AL Rookie of the Year.
With Soderstrom on the A’s to stay, the team’s attention now will turn to extending the rest of its young core.
The Mets are signing right-handed reliever Mike Baumann, according to a report Wednesday by the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Baumann, 30, spent the 2025 season with Nippon Professional Baseball's Tokyo Yakult Swallows. In 15 IP over 16 games, Baumann went 0-2 with a 4.20 ERA and one hold. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 17 hits (three homers) while striking out 19 and walking 12.
The veteran Baumann was most recently in MLB for the 2024 season when he split his time with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins. In 58.1 IP across 57 games, Baumann was 3-1 with a 5.55 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.
The Marlins were the end of the road for the righty as they claimed Baumann off waivers on Aug. 25, 2024. There, he posted a 6.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 13.2 IP through 11 games.
Before the 2024 season, Baumann spent most of his career with the Orioles. Baltimore designated him for assignment on May 18, 2024, and he was traded four days later, with catcher Michael Pérez going to Seattle for catcher Blake Hunt.
Baumann's best season was 2023, his last full year in Baltimore, when he went 10-1 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 64.2 IP over 60 games. He made his MLB debut Sept. 7, 2021, allowing one run (unearned) on two hits in 3.2 IP of relief for the Orioles' 7-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals and getting the nod as the winning pitcher.
The Orioles selected Baumann from Jacksonville University with the No. 98 overall pick in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
The Yankees are among the teams to check in on Austin Hays. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Wednesday that the free-agent left fielder "becomes more realistic for them if" the Yankees cannot keep their top target at the position, Cody Bellinger, as they navigate the market.
In 103 games for the Cincinnati Reds this past season, Hays slashed ./266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs and 64 RBI.
The Reds signed Hays to a one-year, $5 million contract this past January with a $12 million mutual option for the 2026 season and entered free agency in November after Cincinnati declined to pick up his tender. As a result, he received a $1 million buyout.
Hays split 2024 between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies, who swapped him before the season's trade deadline that July. In 85 games across the two teams, he slashed .255/.303/.396 with five home runs and 20 RBI.
A kidney infection limited Hays to 22 games with the Phillies before they non-tendered him that November, beginning his free agency.
Hays was an All-Star for the Orioles in 2023 when he slashed .275/.325/.444 with 16 home runs and 67 RBI. He made his MLB debut Sept. 7, 2017, in the Orioles' 9-1 loss to the Yankees and logged 74 games from 2017-20. In 420 games from 2021-23, Hays slashed .261/.313/.439 with 54 home runs and 198 RBI.
The Orioles selected Hays from Jacksonville University with the No. 91 overall pick in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
When it comes to their holiday shopping, the Yankees are much more patient than, say, a kid hankering for the season’s hottest toy. While the Yanks still have much to do this winter, including retaining a key performer, they have slow-played things like a parent saying, “We’ll see” regarding a potential yuletide bauble.
The Yankees will make more additions. Of course they will. Some of their fans might be antsy since the rest of the AL East seemingly opened their gifts early. But there are plenty of targets remaining for what the Yankees need, both in the trade and free agency aisles.
If they need some guidance, we are here for them, like a personal shopper for the holiday hot stove. With that in mind, here’s our wish list for the Yankees for the rest of the offseason.
Re-sign Cody Bellinger
This is an easy one, like when your partner says, “Get me this” for a holiday gift and leads you to it on the shelves. Buy it, wrap it and hand it over on the appropriate date. Don’t overthink it.
Bellinger can play all three outfield positions, plus first base. He’s a lefty who hit very well in Yankee Stadium last year (.909 OPS at home) and looked so comfy it was like he’d been on the Yankees for years. There’s value in knowing that someone can sparkle in New York. Bellinger can.
If Ben Rice struggles defensively at first base, Bellinger can take over. If they need him to start in left or center, no problem, though Trent Grisham accepted the Yanks’ qualifying offer and seems set in center. Re-signing Bellinger also would give the Yankees trade chips in either Jasson Domínguez or slugging prospect Spencer Jones. Or both.
Bellinger is probably the tipping point to the rest of the Yankee offseason.
More pitching
Pitching is like cash gifts at the holidays. Who doesn’t want more of that? The Yanks have, on paper, a powerful rotation. But both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón won’t be ready to start the year, so they might need help beyond Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. Because of injury last year, Gil only threw 57 innings in the regular season; Schlittler, in his first MLB experience, tossed 73.
While the Blue Jays added big in their rotation with Dylan Cease, there are plenty of pitchers remaining who could help the Yankees, including those still available in free agency, such as Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez. Both are top-of-the-market types, though.
They could investigate import Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old free agent who had a 1.92 ERA in Japan last season. Former Yankee Tyler Austin, who signed with the Cubs after six years playing in Japan, recently lauded Imai, a righty, in an appearance on MLB Network Radio. And Imai probably appeals to fans, considering he talked earlier this offseason about wanting to be part of dethroning the Dodgers.
Or the Yankees could dip into the trade market for MacKenzie Gore, the 26-year-old lefty with the Nationals, or Freddy Peralta of the Brewers.
Or maybe they just need a mid-tier stopgap type. Earlier this winter, we suggested righty Tyler Mahle, who had a 2.18 ERA over 16 starts with the Rangers. He’s only had one full season of starting, when he made 33 starts for the Reds in 2021 and delivered 180 innings. But the Yanks might not need him to pile up frames.
Relief-wise, the Yankees need a rebuild after ranking 23rd in bullpen ERA (4.37) last year and walking too many opposing hitters.
Several of their deadline acquisitions came with control, so closer David Bednar is back, as are Camilo Doval and Jake Bird. They re-signed Tim Hill, which gives them a proper lefty, and Fernando Cruz and his nasty splitter remains in their ‘pen.
But Devin Williams and Luke Weaver signed with the Mets as free agents, so there’s room for more high-leverage arms. In recent years, the Yankees have also been really good at mining relievers from unheralded stock, so it’s possible they find solid set-up help in that fashion again. Or maybe Pete Fairbanks, one of the top relief arms still available, can fit.
Oct 8, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) forces out Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (22) and tries to turn a double play during the eighth inning during game four of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Pick a tune on Jazz
Jazz Chisholm Jr. enjoyed a strong 30-30 season and should be ensconced at second base for at least this year. But he’s also drawn trade interest in his final season before free agency.
Should the Yankees seek an extension with their athletic middle infielder, who brings much-needed verve and swag to the roster, to say nothing of abundant skill? They don’t do extensions often and some recent ones fizzled. Or should they flip Chisholm for a contact-oriented hitter to pair with their power?
Shortstop clarity?
This one might be far-fetched, even on a wish list, something akin to a teen who just got their driver’s license asking for a Corvette with a big bow on the roof as their primary holiday present. Anthony Volpe will not be ready for the start of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery, so anything permanent with this position is likely tabled until he’s ready to compete. José Caballero will fill in and, perhaps, make inroads on the job.
But the Yanks still believe in Volpe, regardless of fan angst over his play, or A-Rod’s cracks about their organizational hitting philosophy. Or at least say they do. They won’t commit to anything until Volpe’s healthy.
The holidays are a mega-busy time, of course, and you don’t have to be Kris Kringle himself to have lots to do.
Take David Stearns, for example.
The Mets’ baseball boss is reshaping the roster this winter, having already waved goodbye to blue-and-orange stalwarts from Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo to Edwin Díaz and Jeff McNeil.
He’s added Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, among others -- but there’s more to do.
So, David, bundle up and head out to the stores -- no, wait, that’s us last-minute holiday shoppers. Stearns does need to make some moves, though, even if it’s without the frenzy of Fifth Avenue or a bedecked mall.
That’s where we come in, as helpful elves. We offer a wish list for the Mets to complete over the rest of the baseball hot stove season. Check it twice, if you like.
An ace
The Mets have a lot of rotation inventory right now, don’t they?
Nolan McLean seems assured of a spot, since he was one of the best pitchers in baseball over his eight starts last season. Clay Holmes was really good in his first season in the rotation, finishing ninth in the NL in ERA, and is a lock, too. David Peterson had a wobble or two, but also was terrific for a long stretch. Can Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea rebound? We’ll see. And then there’s Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, two very promising prospects.
But there’s no top-of-the-rotation monster.
Yes, we know McLean could become that. But pitching is such a precious commodity and generally needed in such bulk during the slog that is 162 games that it makes sense for the Mets to pursue a No. 1. That could come in free agency or trade.
They’ll be involved if Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta become available. Should they explore Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez, both free agents? Maybe their appetite is only whetted if either will sign a short-term deal.
Whatever happens (or doesn’t), it sure feels like the Mets need an ace as a holiday home run. The same way a certain generation of kids needed the original Xbox, right?
A CF fix
There are numerous ways the Mets could cover center field this year, but it’s tricky because of highly-regarded prospect Carson Benge. Benge, who turns 23 next month, is the center fielder of the future, isn’t he? Stearns even said early in the offseason that Benge could push to break spring camp with the Mets in ‘26.
Of course, Benge has only 103 plate appearances as high as Triple-A -- he started last season in Brooklyn and ascended.
If he’s almost ready, they only need a stopgap and maybe they can start Tyrone Taylor for a month or so while Benge gets more seasoning. Or, if they go for a big splash, they could sign Cody Bellinger, use him in center until Benge is ready and then put Bellinger in left. Or use Bellinger at first base. The one drawback is that Bellinger is likely to command a long-term, pricey deal. Stearns has been trimming commitments this winter, at least so far.
Oct 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) runs to home plate in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
But Benge batted .178 with a .583 OPS in Triple-A, so he may need a longer stage of development in the minors. In that case, Bellinger fits nicely in center, maybe for all of 2026. If not him, Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, appears available in trade.
Or perhaps someone like Harrison Bader would serve well, especially with Bader coming off his best bat season (.796 OPS, 17 homers). Bader, as Mets fans doubtless remember, is a sensational defensive outfielder. Run prevention, anyone?
More relief
Not to get Grinchy about this, but the Mets bullpen, even with the work already done, needs more.
Williams will close, Weaver will be the top setup man and the Mets seem to have lefties covered with Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter. Maybe Sproat can morph into a multi-inning relief weapon, the Athletic reported the Mets are examining that idea.
The Mets were 27th in starter innings last season, so their relievers got a lot of work. They had the third-most relief innings in MLB. They were 15th in bullpen ERA -- better than both World Series teams, incidentally -- and had the sixth-highest bullpen WAR, according to FanGraphs. Maybe they were riding on Díaz’s coattails, no? He had a tremendous season.
In any case, another high-leverage arm, whether by trade or free agency, would do more to comfort the Met fan than a fresh egg nog in front of a warm fireplace this time of year.
A second at first?
Polanco figures to play a lot of first, a role he said he began preparing for last season while with the Mariners.
As a former middle infielder, he surely has the hands to make the transition, right? Of course, the Mets have charged a guy with one pitch of game experience at the position with helping them boost their run prevention. There’s risk involved.
So perhaps they’ll look to add at the position.
Paul Goldschmidt, a free agent with a great glove who bats right handed, is available. Yes, that’s yet another former Yankee crossing over, but maybe he fits this niche need.
Here’s another idea: Eugenio Suarez on a short deal would fit their need for righty thump and give them another option at third base. Since they are moving players to first base this winter, perhaps Suarez can get reps there, too. He played there three times last year, which is more than Polanco did.
The Phillies’ bullpen focus continued Monday with the signing of right-hander Zach Pop, pushing the club’s 40-man roster to 39 and reinforcing where much of its winter attention has been directed.
Bullpen additions shape outlook for 2026
At the Trade Deadline in July, the Phillies’ priority was finding a lockdown closer. They acquired Jhoan Duran, but inconsistent middle relief exposed weakness down the stretch and in the NLDS. Those struggles have informed much of the club’s offseason work.
Last week, the Phillies signed right-hander Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million deal, adding a steady late-inning option.
“We love Keller,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said at Friday’s media availability. “We really think he’s one of the best in the business. We really like the way the bullpen now shapes up.”
Keller emerged as one of the league’s more reliable relievers in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA over 69 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old was particularly effective in a setup role, facing 135 batters in the eighth inning, limiting opponents to a .135/.179/.189 slash line.
“All of our scouting work, our analytical work, our pitching people — between Caleb [Cotham] and the rest of the group — everybody thinks he’s a legit back-end type guy,” Dombrowski said.
The metrics support that confidence. Keller’s average fastball velocity jumped 3.4 mph from 2024 (93.7) to 2025 (97.1). That coincides with his shift from the rotation to the bullpen in a full-time capacity.
“I wouldn’t say I expected a four-mile-per-hour jump,” Keller said during his introductory press conference Monday. “But I did feel like I worked really hard, cleaned up mechanical things and started focusing on using my lower half.”
The bullpen has continued to evolve. The Phillies traded left-hander Matt Strahm to Kansas City for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, then acquired left-hander Kyle Backhus from Arizona later that same day. The result is a deeper, more diverse group built around matchups and versatility at Rob Thomson’s disposal.
Update on Realmuto
The Phillies remain without a definitive everyday option behind the plate.
Entering his age-35 season, a three-year contract would be rare. Per MLB Trade Rumors, only two catchers have signed deals of that length entering that age season: Carlos Ruiz (three years, $26 million in 2013) and Yadier Molina (three years, $60 million in 2017).
Ruiz posted a .670 OPS and averaged 1.4 WAR over that span. Molina produced a .738 OPS with an average 1.5 WAR. Since joining the Phillies in 2019, Realmuto has averaged 3.6 WAR per season.
Whether Philadelphia ultimately meets Realmuto’s price or looks to an alternative, his value — both offensively and in managing a pitching staff — remains significant. Any contingency plan would more likely come via trade than from a thin free-agent catching class.
Where the payroll stands
The Associated Press tracks payroll figures for all 30 clubs each season.
Last season, the Phillies’ payroll was reported at $264,314,134, representing an increase of more than $50 million year over year. Whether the club reallocates money via trade or adds Realmuto as the final 40-man spot remains to be seen.
Harper commits to World Baseball Classic
Bryce Harper’s 2026 campaign will begin early.
The Phillies’ first baseman announced on Instagram that he intends to represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
“Put the colors on my chest for the first time when I was 15,” Harper wrote. “No other feeling like it. I’m excited to announce I will be representing Team USA this year in the WBC.”
Harper, 33, joins Kyle Schwarber, who announced his commitment moments before he re-signed with the Phillies. The tournament runs from March 5–17 during Spring Training.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa had a need at first base. He found his answer.
