David Stearns and the Mets' front office will have a lot on their plate this offseason as they look to turn the club from a massively disappointing 74-88 team into a playoff contender.
There are plenty examples of quick turnarounds recently, including the 2026 White Sox (60-102 in 2025 to 84-78 and in the playoffs), 2023 Rangers (68-94 in 2022 to 90-72 and World Series champs), and 2013 Red Sox (69-93 in 2012 to 97-65 and World Series champs).
So New York's task, while difficult, is not as daunting as it may seem.
What will help is that the Mets, who went 39-38 from June 30 through the end of the season after a disastrous start derailed their playoff hopes, should have a very strong returning core that includes Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette (who seems likely to opt in to his contract for 2027), and young building blocks Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, A.J. Ewing, and Christian Scott.
As the Mets start moving and shaking, they -- and the other 29 teams -- will likely be facing a truncated calendar due to the expected lockout that is set to begin on Dec. 1.
With the offseason kicking into high gear five days after the World Series ends, things will open up any time between Nov. 1 and Nov. 5.
Here's what the Mets' top priorities should be...
5. Target players who want the New York market
In his end-of-season news conference, Stearns was asked if some players struggle to play in New York.
"I think the answer is yes," he said. "I think this is a unique place to play, and it's different here. I've lived it as a fan and as an executive. When you win here, it is the greatest thing in the world. As a fan and as an executive, there is nothing like coming to this ballpark in a playoff atmosphere and experiencing that. It's equally extreme when things aren't going well, and I do think certain players struggle with that. And I'm cognizant of that."
Following an offseason where the Mets let proven New York performer Pete Alonso walk in free agency, Bichette struggled badly over the first few months of the 2026 season and Freddy Peralta performed well below expectations.
This isn't to say that Bichette failed early and Peralta never found it at all simply because of the pressure of New York. But it was certainly a factor.
Not that it wasn't a consideration before, but targeting players who want to play in (and can handle) the highly pressurized New York market should be even more of a priority now.
4. Explore trade scenarios
Soon after New York's trade deadline sell-off in August, Stearns wasn't shy when suggesting that some of the prospects the team acquired could be flipped in the short-term in order to help fill other holes.
While the Mets' farm system isn't quite as deep as it was a year ago, due in part to Benge, McLean, and Ewing no longer being prospects, they still possess a number of top 100-ish players who could theoretically help headline a deal for an impact player.
There hasn't been much buzz yet regarding which players other teams might make available this offseason, but Tampa Bay Rays ace Drew Rasmussen ($20 million team option for 2027 in his last year before free agency) and some of the Mariners' starting pitchers (given their glut of rotation options) could be available.
As far as who the Mets could deal in a search for impact talent, it's conceivable that they would be open to parting with one of their infield prospects -- given their depth in that area.
New York also has a few trade candidates of its own, potentially including Kodai Senga and Mark Vientos.
3. Add a legitimate first base option
If Bichette opts in as expected, the Mets will be covered on the left side of the infield, all three outfield spots, and catcher. Second base is to-be-determined, but top prospects Jefferson Rojas and Mitch Voit are among the in-house options if things continue to go sideways with Marcus Semien. Brett Baty could also find himself at second.
That would leave first base and/or designated hitter as the main avenue to improve the offense.
Jared Young became New York's primary first baseman in 2026 and did relatively well, posting a .759 OPS. But he does not hit for much power (just nine home runs in 103 games this past season) and struggles against left-handed pitching.
While Young could be part of a platoon at first base with a to-be-determined right-handed hitter, the Mets should be aiming higher. Specifically, they should be seeking a full-time first baseman who can profile in the middle of the lineup.
That player might not exist on the MLB free agent market, but star Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato is expected to be posted. If the Mets aren't sold on Sato as an answer at first base, it might leave the trade market as their best option when it comes to addressing the position.
2. Don't be driven by bounce backs and what-ifs
Heading into 2026, the Mets were banking on too much uncertainty.
They were hoping for bounce backs from Senga, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Mark Vientos, as well as relative health from Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. -- two players who had checkered injury pasts.
Nearly all of that blew up in New York's face, helping to create the "uncapped downside scenario" Stearns referenced after the season.
Heading into 2027, there has to be a much smaller reliance on bounce backs and what-ifs. That means jumping in the deeper end of free agency for players who should be more reliable.
It also means Polanco should be viewed as a non-entity until/unless he's healthy and performing, Semien should be replaced at second base if his struggles continue, and Manaea should be looked at as one of many rotation options instead of a key cog.
Stearns already took a step in the above direction when he made it clear that nothing would be guaranteed to Semien entering the season.
1. Properly address the starting rotation
It can be argued that the Mets left their rotation one legitimate starting pitcher short each of the last two seasons.
In 2025, things began to crumble because of a lack of rotation options, resulting in Chris Devenski, Justin Hagenman, Blade Tidwell, and a small village of openers starting games. Beyond that, Jonah Tong was called up before he was ready because the team had basically run out of arms.
In 2026, the rotation was a huge issue again due to the early struggles of Senga and Peterson, Manaea being relegated to the bullpen because of his own difficulties and velocity issues, and a freak injury to Clay Holmes that the team had no answer for.
This time around, the rotation needs to be properly fortified, which should mean adding two new members to the starting five (or starting six).
McLean and Scott are locks, but things are uncertain beyond that. Zac Thornton is an option, Manaea could be an answer at the back end, and Tong has been tasked with pitching so well that he forces himself into the conversation.
As far as who the external targets should be?
Tarik Skubal will be a free agent and won't be attached to a qualifying offer. If there's any time for Stearns to go big for an elite starting pitcher, it's now. If the Mets prefer to go a tier below Skubal, Michael King could be a nice fit. They could also explore a reunion with Holmes.
Either way, the goal has to be a top end starter and someone who can fit in the middle or back of the rotation.
