a day after taking a closer look Edwin Diaz skip signing with los angeles dodgersThe New York Mets Saw another long time star depart free agency When the franchise home run leader pete alonso got included in baltimore orioles But five year deal,
While Mets fans are scratching their heads knowing that their roster will look very different in the 2026 season, we asked our MLB experts to find out how worried the Mets should be, what steps New York can take to recover from their tough offseason and how much stronger their new team’s lineup is made with the addition of Alonso.
How concerned are you about the Mets losing two All-Stars to free agency this week?
Jorge Castillo: Not too worried right now. There’s still a lot of winter left and the Mets are going to be on a roll. They have the money and possibilities to add elite talent. It is clear that Stearns believes that the Mets’ core was not good enough after such a disappointing season. Losing Diaz and Alonso – On Top of Business Brandon Nimmo – This is definitely hard to swallow for Mets fans because those three players were so beloved. The Mets are not ones for pats on the back.
Bradford Doolittle: Diaz leaving concerns me more than Alonso leaving, because it’s more difficult to secure a difference-making reliever than a run-scoring first baseman, and the contract Diaz signed should have made it easier for New York to match or beat. When you’re an elite revenue team and you’re not retaining the stars you want to retain, there’s a clog in the hose somewhere along the line.
Kelly McDaniel: My concern level is high now because of the way the Mets lost these players by chasing value instead of player and not being aggressive enough, even when they knew everything about both Alonso and Diaz. This suggests that they will have trouble replacing these two slots on the roster.
I don’t think David Stearns wants to trade for two stars by clearing out the organization’s strength (upper-minors prospect depth) to acquire some players who have a few years left who are cost controlled. It’s starting to smell like another two-year free agent deals could plug these holes this way, and it may or may not work out, but we can be sure that Mets fans will hate this winter if this is the outcome.
Jesse Rogers: It depends how you feel about the recently signed devin williams As well as the Mets’ prospects for the rest of the offseason. In other words, there should be no panic right now, as there is enough time (and possibly money) to recover from losses. The Mets believe Williams can replace Diaz to some degree, but likely isn’t reloaded on the back end.
Now they have to replace some of what Alonso brings to the table. They can do this in a myriad of ways, drawing attention to alex bregman, kyle tucker or even cody bellingerStealing Bellinger from the Yankees a year after doing the same juan soto Might be a good plan for first base. Either way, they could replace the two All-Stars with two (or more) newcomers of similar talent. Williams is a good start.
Buster Olney: Not yet, as these appear to be part of a larger series of decisions. It’s been clear for two years that the Stearns-led Mets have been reluctant to commit big dollars to Alonso, and now he’s gone. They signed Devin Williams to avoid the possibility of Edwin Diaz walking away – in fact, Williams told reporters the only role discussed with the Mets was closer – and now Diaz is out the door. But whatever happens next, Stearns will be right. In fact, there is more pressure on Stearns than any of the guys in baseball – player or executive. That’s because they’ve opted to move on from three fan favorites in Brandon Nimmo, Diaz and Alonso, and whatever happens the rest of the winter will be on Stearns.
After a collapsing 2025 regular season, is it time for David Stearns to be more aggressive in free agency and trades?
Castillo: Yes. Steve Cohen has the money to bully other teams, and Stearns has built a strong farm system that can be used for large-scale trading. This should allow the Mets to be more aggressive as they have the resources to overcome mistakes. Signing Juan Soto to that record-setting deal last winter was an example of the Mets’ spending power. Perhaps we’ll see another example this winter — whether it’s spending in free agency or the trade market.
Doolittle: You don’t want to panic. The Mets have young talent that deserves some runway, and you don’t want to hold back too many opportunities. But losing Alonso means there is a need for certainty in the middle-order/driven production department. So an offensive effort for Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger would be timely.
McDaniel: YesThe Mets really have two notable things they can flex with: a ton of money and a strong group of young players in the big leagues and upper minors, When you have (understandably) impatient fans and contemplate Fall 2025, you Sure Win in 2026. Responding with half-measures, retaining all the young players and not trying to keep them, then not being aggressive in nine-figure free agency, is working like the Brewers. You don’t have to do this, and you shouldn’t do this with the Mets’ resources.
Rogers: No, aggressive is the wrong word. Smarter may be a better fit. He needs a good team with the right mix in the clubhouse. That doesn’t mean overspending or doing what looks popular on paper or with the fan base — although Stearns acknowledged that how fans feel about players is part of the calculation, not the most important part. The two players the Mets lost were part of last season’s collapse, so a change in the room might not be a bad thing. The last time the Mets were this aggressive, they ended up max shazer And Justin VerlanderHow will this work?
Olney: Given the lack of depth in the free agent class, it’s hard to imagine relying on that alone to improve the team. If they sign Cody Bellinger, it won’t fix their problems; If he trades for McKenzie Gore, he’ll need more. He will have to be aggressive on both fronts and make uncomfortable deals like signing ranger suarezWhich seems like a perfect fit for the New York market given its experience in Philadelphia.
What next step will you take from here to turn the Mets’ winter around?
Castillo: Two moves come to mind: signing Bellinger and acquiring an elite starting pitcher. Bellinger’s defensive versatility – he can play all three outfield spots and first base – is perfect for the Mets, as they have replaced their left fielder, saw their first baseman leave in free agency, could use an upgrade in center, and have a right fielder who was well below average defensively last season. Adding a front-line starter – whether in free agency or via the trade market – has always been a pressing need.
Doolittle: Sign Tucker. Easy-comfortable.
McDaniel: I think Bregman is the best bet among nine-figure hitters, but the Mets’ infield is pretty loaded right now, while the outfield is begging for impact ahead of Juan Soto. You can package together some high-end prospects in the system and trade for them jerren duran Or bite the bullet and pay Bellinger as a free agent, but I think the next step should be in the outfield. The 29-year-old Duran comes with three years of control, so I think Stearns would very much like that option if he can agree to a reasonable prospect with Boston.
Rogers: Sign Bregman. Put a winner in the clubhouse who can hit some home runs to make up for the loss of Alonso. Instantly, the atmosphere in the room will change and perhaps their fortunes on the field will change as well. It worked out in Boston, and he didn’t even play the entire season due to injury.
Olney: I think he needs to load up and deal tariq skubalThe Mets are better suited to do this than any other team, as they have an abundant resource for prospects, Tell the tigers: we will not discuss nolan mcleanBut everyone else is ready to discuss in some package or the other. Trade for Skubal, sign Suarez, and suddenly the run prevention scheme will look very different.
How good is Baltimore’s lineup with Pete Alonso under center?
Castillo: You could easily argue that this is the best lineup in the American League. Gunnar Henderson And Alonso alone gave the Orioles one of the top one-two punches in baseball. But they also have a very deep mix of young and experienced talent. taylor ward, Jordan Westberg, Adley Ratshman, dylan beavers, Colton Cowser, Samuel Basal, Ryan Mountcastle And tyler o’neil On the roster. and does not include Kobe Mayo, heston kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr. – highly regarded young position players who the Orioles could move to address the starting rotation.
Doolittle: better. But let’s not get carried away. Considering how little production the Orioles got last season, a middling-OBP/high-slugging first baseman is certainly an upgrade. But a player like that has the most utility in a lineup with a strong overall on-base profile. The Orioles have some work to do in that regard. Get the team OBP projection into the top 10 and then the Orioles will get somewhere.
McDaniel: I think the Dodgers still have the best lineup in the game, but the Orioles are now second best in my book. They also have some upward mobility with rookies Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo in the lineup and Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neill in platoon roles, giving them both a chance to reach a high floor and a high ceiling if everything goes right for the young hitters.
Rogers: It’s one of the best in baseball, but it assumes bounce-back seasons for several players, including Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman. A full year of Samuel Basallo with extreme versions of Alonso and Henderson/Rutschman sounds pretty risky. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Orioles could be both star-laden and deep, but they need some rebound years to do so.
Olney: On a broader level, this signature seems strange. The Orioles tanked over four seasons and picked so many position players at the top of the draft, and now, when they finally make a big spend when their organizational pitching is thin, they spend $155 million on a first baseman/DH? Strange. But Baltimore will entertain with this lineup, assuming its young players bounce back from a difficult 2025 season. If this group hits, it should be a fun lineup to watch. However, at some point, the Orioles need to figure out how to develop pitching, which should be a lifeline for a small spender in the AL East.
