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SNY's Joe DeMayo answers your Mets prospect questions...

How high is Dylan Ross’ ceiling? Feels like his future as a reliever has him being a bit undervalued on prospect lists, but the stuff looks like it could potentially dominate major league hitters given the chance - @aschorling34

Ross was called up by the Mets during the last weekend of the 2025 season, but did not get into any of the final three games against Miami.

The Mets selected Ross in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Georgia. He underwent a Tommy John revision and did not make his professional debut until Sept. 7, 2024, the next-to-last game of Low-A St. Lucie’s season.

In 2025, Ross pitched at three minor league levels, spending most of his time with Triple-A Syracuse. In a combined 54 innings, he posted a 2.17 ERA, allowing only 29 hits and striking out 80 batters. His bugaboo was the 33 walks he issued.

While he will likely never have plus command, there is thought in the organization that with more reps (he has thrown just a combined 66.2 innings since 2022), the command should improve.

Ross is a pure power reliever, with a fastball that will sit at 97 mph and touch 101. That isn’t his best pitch, though, as scouts will give the nod to his low-90s splitter that minor league hitters could not touch, with a 48.3 percent whiff rate. He supplements it with an upper-80s slider that he didn’t throw as much, but had an even higher whiff rate of 67.7 percent.

If Ross can put some more command together, I look at him as someone with high-leverage, setup type potential. He should be squarely in the competition for one of the spots in the Mets bullpen on Opening Day.

When this current top of the farm system graduates, what kind of position will the Mets system be in? Will the Mets still have a high-ranked system, or will it take a few years to get back to the point they are at? - @GreatOnPaperNYM

In general, minor league systems and their rankings generally have ebbs and flows. Right now, the Mets have one of the best farm systems in baseball.

But to your point, there are likely to be multiple graduations in 2026. It starts with the three top arms of Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong,and Brandon Sproat.

Outfielder Carson Benge has a chance to crack the Opening Day roster, if not shortly thereafter. Infielder/center fielder Jett Williams, first baseman Ryan Clifford, and relievers Ross and Ryan Lambert are some other names who could potentially be up in 2026 and appear in enough games to graduate.

Whether it is all, or most of the above names, that is as many as six of the top 10 prospects in the system graduating from prospect status.

The Mets' next wave of prospects includes players with high ceilings like A.J. Ewing and Elian Peña, bats that look like future big leaguers in Jacob Reimer and Mitch Voit, as well as another group of pitchers in Jonathan Santucci, Jack Wenninger, and Will Watson. The Mets' most recent international signing, Wandy Asigen,should immediately profile somewhere around the top half of the top 30 with huge upside, but he's years away.

The goal of the organization under senior VP of player development Andy Green certainly includes not having that “dip” last long. A few years would not be considered an acceptable outcome internally. There is a draft every year, and there is international free agency every year as two mechanisms to add talent to the system. The Mets also need to continue developing prospects the way they have the last couple of seasons.

Specifically, they have excelled in pitching development under vice president of pitching Eric Jagers, especially given that they haven’t signed a first-round pick who was a pitcher since David Peterson. Among the six pitchers ranked in the top 12 of the system, only Sproat and Santucci were picked in the first two rounds. Only McLean was picked in the top three. The Mets have been able to identify the right pitchers to draft and have proven to be able to make them better as professionals.

The hitting development took a stride forward in 2025 under Jeff Albert, who is now on the major league coaching staff. There were breakout years from prospects like Benge, Ewing, and Nick Morabito, as well as bounce back years from Williams and Reimer. That momentum needs to be carried into 2026.

The Mets believe they have the infrastructure in place with their scouting and player development departments to sustain a well-regarded farm year over year. While it is fair to expect the system to dip in some public rankings in the next few months, it should not be for an extended period if they are executing their plan.

Major League Baseball's free agent season has finally passed the midway point and is headed for home.

With Kyle Tucker's landmark agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets' lightning-strike pivot to Bo Bichette, half of USA TODAY Sports' top free agents at the outset of winter have found homes, including seven of the top 10. Outfielder Cody Bellinger is now the best position player available, and several difference-making starting pitchers can be had.

But time is running out, with spring training camps opening beginning Feb. 10. A ranking of the top remaining free agents, and a look at who's already signed:

(Ages as of April 1)

1. Framber Valdez (32, LHP, Astros)

Not sure if he’ll sniff the Max Fried rent district for lefty starters but it never hurts when you’re literally one of two on the market. Valdez is consistently right around 200 innings, has a championship pedigree and suppresses the home run ball. Not an ideal conclusion to his Houston era, but it’s also easy enough to hand him the ball and set your alarm clock for September.

2. Cody Bellinger (30, OF/1B, Yankees)

Bellinger topped the 150-game mark for the first time since 2019 and had an excellent season his one year in the Bronx – producing 5.1 WAR, hitting 29 homers and playing typically sound defense. Given his health history, there will be some risk wagering on a hale Bellinger for the next five-plus years – but his overall skill set will be difficult to ignore.

3. Zac Gallen (30, RHP, Diamondbacks)

He led the NL in WHIP (0.91) and the majors in fewest hits per nine innings (5.9) in 2022, but regressed to 1.26 and 8.3/8.1 the past two seasons. He was much better once the trade deadline passed, posting a 3.32 ERA in his last 11 starts.

4. Lucas Giolito (31, RHP, Red Sox)

Giolito finally turned the page on a pair of injury-ravaged seasons to make 26 starts and post a 3.41 ERA, enough to comfortably decline his $19 million player option. Giolito completed at least six innings in 15 of his 26 starts, though he missed a playoff outing with elbow soreness.

Another Brian Cashman/Hal Steinbrenner vs. David Stearns/Steve Cohen battle for a top free agent may be on tap.

After Kyle Tucker spurned the Mets by going to the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million deal, it could potentially lead to the Yankees and Mets battling for Cody Bellinger.

The Yankees have made it clear that Bellinger is their priority this offseason, while the Mets have shown interest in the talented outfielder/first baseman.

Having lost Pete Alonso to the Orioles and missed out on Tucker, it’s possible the Mets could turn their attention to Bellinger since there are really only two impact bats left in free agency in Bellinger and Bo Bichette.

With rumors linking the Phillies to Bichette and the Mets already having a shortstop and second baseman, it likely leaves Bellinger as their best option.

Bellinger, 30, has yet to sign since he’s in a standoff with the Yankees about contract length.

He and agent Scott Boras are seeking a seven-year pact, while The Post reported that the Yankees have offered $155 million over five years for a $31 million annual average value (AAV).

The Yankees have added two opt-outs to their offer in an attempt to make it more appealing.

That Bellinger hasn’t signed elsewhere is an indication that no other team has swooped in to top the Yankees’ offer and perhaps the Mets could choose to do so now.

The Mets’ four-year, $220 million offer showed they have plenty more to spend this offseason, although they may view Tucker and Bellinger on different levels.

Bellinger would fit the Mets’ roster well since he can play the outfield and first base, which provides value after Brandon Nimmo and Alonso exited this offseason.

With the Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays all in the market for another bat, the reality is that at least one of those teams will miss out on Bellinger and Bicehtte and be left scrambling.

There are quality hitters available in trades, such as the Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan, but that would cost prospect capital instead of strict dollars.

Kyle Tucker agreeing to sign with the Dodgers over the Mets and Blue Jays late Thursday night should've surprised no one.

The Mets had an outrageously good offer on the table (four years at $200 million, and later went to four years at $220 million). Meanwhile, reports were that the Blue Jays had extended a long-term offer, and that Toronto was willing to go as high as 10 years.

With that as a backdrop, it made no sense that Tucker was taking so long to reach a decision. And that's why at 4:31 p.m. I typed this guess to my colleagues: "Tucker is going to the Dodgers."

It took a while longer for that to happen, and the numbers were eye-popping: four years for $240 million (an insane $60 million AAV), with a $64 million signing bonus and $30 million deferred.

What happened was not a Steve Cohen failure or a David Stearns failure. And it was not a uniquely Mets thing.

There is next to nothing a team can do when a player seemingly wants a certain team and city. If the Mets went to $61 million annually (which they were right to not do), the Dodgers probably would've gone to $62 million. 

Over the last handful of seasons, we've watched the same song and dance play out with Los Angeles and star players.

Shohei Ohtani wouldn't even seriously consider the East Coast before agreeing to his contract with LA that included $680 million in deferrals. 

We heard how much Yoshinobu Yamamoto loved the Yankees. Didn't matter. He, too, chose the Dodgers, with their more relaxed city and fan base (and incredible climate) coming along with that choice.

The same happened with Roki Sasaki, whose affordability made him a possibility for every team, but who went to the Dodgers anyway.

In a way, lots of these players are acting like Kevin Durant did when he decided to join the juggernaut Warriors. It isn't fun for the other 29 teams. It isn't really competitive. It's certainly not good for the sport. But the Dodgers are playing within the rules. And until those rules change, perhaps as part of a lockout in 2027, they can keep doing this. To that end, would anyone be surprised if they traded for Tarik Skubal next?

As far as where the Mets go from here this offseason?

There seems to be a desire in the wake of Tucker spurning them to relitigate the decisions New York has made regarding the players they have let go this offseason.

In the case of Edwin Diaz, that's fair. It seems apparent that something went haywire at the end of those negotiations, with the Mets losing a player who wanted to be in Queens.

Beyond that, it's pretty clear that the Mets acted with conviction.

Trading Brandon Nimmo in order to get out of the last five years of his deal as he enters his age-33 season was prudent. The same goes for dealing Jeff McNeil, who wouldn't have had a regular role in 2026 had he stayed.

The big one is Pete Alonso, and it can be argued without the benefit of hindsight that perhaps the Mets should've offered him four or five years and asked him to be their DH. But there's no reason to wring your hands over the Mets not making him an offer. If they weren't going to the level it took to keep him, extending an offer for the sake of it would've been pointless.

New York's main additions before Friday were Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, Luke Weaver, and Marcus Semien. That is not nearly good enough, and there are likely significant moves coming.

As the Mets ponder what those moves should be, it's instructive to look at the upcoming free agent classes after 2026 and 2027, when there will not be a single difference-making hitter available. The biggest ones next offseason could be Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a 37-year-old George Springer. The year after that, the boldest names are likely to be Jeremy Peña and Steven Kwan.

So, what now?

With the Mets in serious need in the starting rotation and outfield, here are two plausible scenarios:

Option A: Trade for Freddy Peralta and sign a bat or two

Peralta is there for the taking, and the Mets have the kind of players who should interest the Brewers.

And if Peralta is open to an extension, as Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported on Thursday, it could make trading for him even more palatable.

Could a deal centered around Brandon Sproat and A.J. Ewing work? Would the Mets be willing to trade Sproat and Jett Williams if they knew they were turning around and locking Peralta up long-term?

If the Mets can't snag Peralta, they could try to engage the Twins on Joe Ryan. Or call the Padres about Nick Pivetta. They could also take a moonshot and attempt to entice the Tigers to trade Skubal, with a contentious arbitration hearing approaching.

As far as the free agent bats, there really aren't many that are enticing.

The Mets could always try to snag Cody Bellinger from the Yankees, but that doesn't feel likely. Beyond that, Bellinger's year-to-year inconsistency and 2025 home/road splits should give any team pause.

Eugenio Suarez could make sense if New York wants to try to add serious power. But he profiles best at DH and strikes out a ton.

One sensible move could be turning to Bo Bichette, who is entering his age-28 season. The Mets could conceivably sign Bichette to play third base, slide Brett Baty to first base, and use Jorge Polanco as their primary DH. (Editor's Note: the Mets signed Bichette to a three-year deal on Friday afternoon)

Option B: Sign Framber Valdez and trade for an outfielder

With 30-year old Ranger Suarez signing a five-year deal, it's possible the 32-year-old Valdez inks a three-or four-year contract at a decently higher AAV than Suarez's $26 million. That would be right in the Mets' wheelhouse, and give them a legit top of the rotation starter.

It's fair to wonder, though, if the Mets will want to add $30 million or so to the payroll in the form of Valdez after agreeing to sign Bichette. There's also the fact that Valdez is attached to a qualifying offer, and signing him after inking Bichette would would almost totally destroy New York's 2026 MLB Draft.

Meanwhile, if the Mets don't use any of their best young players to trade for pitching, they could theoretically use them to acquire an outfielder instead.

Maybe they call the Red Sox about Jarren Duran.

Perhaps they try to pry Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals.

Another option could be snagging Ramon Laureano from the Padres -- and maybe expanding that deal to include a high-leverage reliever like Jeremiah Estrada.

***

Before the Tucker gut punch, this had already been an offseason of seismic change for the Mets and their fans.

It has been unprecedented. It has been uncomfortable. It has been disappointing. But there is still time.

If the Mets have a similar roster 26 days from now when pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, it will be more than fair to wonder what happened.

But it seems far likelier the conversation will be revolving around how the Mets landed some big swings at the end of the offseason rather than how it all went wrong.

Phils and Realmuto reunite with new three-year deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

J.T. Realmuto is sticking around as the Phils’ backstop.

Philadelphia is re-signing their veteran catcher on a three-year, $45 million contract, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic and Bob Nightengale of USA Today, keeping the leader of their pitching staff in place. The deal includes $5 million worth of incentives per year.

Realmuto, 34, hit .257 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs in 2025 and again served as the backbone of one of baseball’s most stable rotations.

The numbers tell the story. Over the past three seasons, Phillies starters rank third in MLB in ERA (3.88) and first in wins (181), quality starts (234), fielding-independent pitching (3.78) and chase rate (34.3 O-Swing%).

Realmuto first joined the Phillies in 2019 after the organization acquired him in a trade from Miami, later returning on a five-year, $115.5 million contract — which remains the highest average annual value ($23.1 million) for a catcher ever signed in free agency.

Since signing, he has made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove and caught more innings than any other catcher in the Majors. In that span, he’s slashed .262/.327/.437 with a 109 OPS+, and his postseason production has been steady — seven home runs and a .745 OPS over four playoff runs.

Manager Rob Thomson has often pointed to Realmuto’s approach as a separator. “J.T. is the most prepared catcher I’ve ever been around,” Thomson said back in October.

After the Phillies missed out on signing Bo Bichette, it became clear that a reunion was imminent. The club had reportedly extended a three-year deal to the catcher recently.

With Realmuto’s return, the Phillies maintain a core piece of their roster and the familiarity that has played a central role in the club’s rise over the past four seasons.

Bo Bichette agrees to three-year deal with rival Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Bo Bichette is heading to the Mets.

The free-agent infielder has agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with New York, with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic, with contract details reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The signing comes days after Bichette met with the Phillies, who had emerged as a serious suitor following the hiring of Don Mattingly, his former bench coach in Toronto.

Philadelphia was viewed as a legitimate contender throughout the process, but ultimately came up short as Bichette opted for a shorter-term deal that offers significant flexibility.

Bichette, 27, is coming off another strong offensive season. In 2025, he hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, finishing second in the majors with 44 doubles. He has led the American League in hits twice and has remained one of the more consistent right-handed bats in the game since debuting in 2019.

A left knee injury sidelined Bichette for the final 20 games of the regular season, but he returned in the World Series and showed no lingering effects, hitting .348 with a home run and six RBIs.

Defensive questions and positional fit complicated Bichette’s market at times, but his bat remained the primary draw.

John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia confirmed that the club had offered more years and guaranteed money. Bob Nightengale of USA Today later reported that the Phillies offered Bichette a seven-year, $200 million deal. It’s known that the Phillies’ ownership does not offer opt-outs in their contract negotiations.

He becomes a major addition for the Mets — and a notable miss for a Phillies club that continues to search for right-handed offense heading into this upcoming season.