The 40 man only has 5 outfielders including Young & Morabito.
Still think we need a RH hitting corner OF. Don’t see that being Taylor.
OT: New York Mets 2025-2026 Off Season Thread
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Still think we need a RH hitting corner OF. Don’t see that being Taylor.
On second thought I think you are right. Here's my view of the opening day 13 non-pitchers:
Alvarez - C
Polanco - 1B
Semien - 2B
Lindor - SS
Bichette - 3B
Benge - platoon LF
Robert - CF
Soto - RF
Torrens - backup C
Baty - backup IF and platoon DH
Vientos - backup 1B and platoon DH
Taylor - backup OF
New guy - platoon LF
Mauricio and Young, both of whom have options, open the season in Syracuse.
Question- if We bring up Benge, is it worth it to do a platoon? He is supposed to be a huge prospect, if he comes up- we need to get him AB's and he needs to hit all pitchers. Or is he better off starting in AAA to get a ton of AB's
Jett Williams will be a real good player.
I’m sorry to see him get traded !
Peralta to me is a #2 type of pitcher - not an ace.
I never feared him whenever the Mets had to face him including in the 2024 wild card.
I’m sorry to see him get traded !
Peralta to me is a #2 type of pitcher - not an ace.
I never feared him whenever the Mets had to face him including in the 2024 wild card.
Ultimately they want him to win the job & get 500 at bats but they still need another OF.
I want Taylor to be a late inning defensive replacement, not playing 2-3 days a week. Need a RH bat who could play RF on day Soto DHs and play LF on Benge day off.
As a left hand hitter, Benge would get two-thirds of the platoon starts. That's enough to justify the roster spot.
That said, I have no clue of his readiness.
You’re right that being LH will give him more starts. My thought is having a RH bat that can give him a day off after he’s gone 1-12 in his last 4 games and today’s starter is Sale.
I’ve seen Austin Hays name thrown around thru this thread. Someone like him or his teammate Miguel Andujar. After his healthy 2nd half last year, it could even be Marte.
Based on what Stearns has said, he’s going to get every chance to win the job.
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My guess is that he’d really have to tear it up this spring to come north with the squad, and even then he might not. He had only 100 plate appearances in AAA, and he didn’t do so well. I’d expect to see him this year, but after more time in AAA.
For $15 million more, newest NY Mets trio projects to be better than the old one
The offseason has been one of transformation for the New York Mets. Just a couple of weeks ago, fans were ready to scream as the team looked like it had taken a
risingapple.com
I thought this was an interesting statistical way to look at how the team projects to be better with the new players.
Agree - he has had 2 sub 3.58 years. And, he gets just a smidge over 5 innings a game. His strongest point is that he is good for 30+ starts pretty much each year. Good top of rotation guy but not quite and Ace. If he can do sub 3.00 again, then he may be on his way. I do think that our true Ace may be McLean already.
curious though- what would Polanco's WAR be if he is at 1B? And Bichette's at 3B. Semien is the only one of the 3 that will be playing a position he has played before.For $15 million more, newest NY Mets trio projects to be better than the old one
The offseason has been one of transformation for the New York Mets. Just a couple of weeks ago, fans were ready to scream as the team looked like it had taken a
I thought this was an interesting statistical way to look at how the team projects to be better with the new players.
Doing some searches- it looks like a move to 1B for Polanco would drop his war about 1.5 points and Bichette to 3B drops about .5 and the number the article uses is a projection...so, despite the position moves, the 3 incoming only drop .3 for 2026 and they have the outgoing guys- all continue playing their same positions to drop 1.2 points
Let's hope this is true as it would mean that all 3 of the incoming have very good years and the outgoing drop significantly...
If you were forced to choose right now, who will have a better year, Peralta or McLean?
I’d pick Peralta.
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McLean…
Here is my early guess on both- which would be great
Peralta 32 starts 168 innings 3.15 Era 175 K
McLean 27 starts 148 innings 2.95 Era 180k
Grading Mets trades for Peralta and Robert
When the final month of 2025 wrapped up, the Mets front office was left to replace several of the club’s vital pieces as their core went out the door.
There was concern among the fan base after Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz all ended up in different cities. But the offseason was far from over, and in a flurry, president of baseball operations David Stearns has sparked some optimism with some flashy replacements.
The most consequential move
might have come late Wednesday night when the Mets added Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers in a trade with the Brewers for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat.
It capped a feverish five-day stretch that saw the Mets also acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox, sign Bo Bichette to a three-year deal and add veteran reliever Luis Garcia.
“We feel good about where our team is,” Stearns said in a video conference Thursday. “We think we’ve got a very good team. Certainly happy with the additions we’ve been able to make over the last couple of days and weeks and also, frankly, really happy with the existing group we have coming back too.”
Then-Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is greeted in the dugout after pitching six-plus innings against the Nationals on July 13 at American Family Field. BENNY SIEU/IMAGN IMAGES
Stearns would not go as far as to claim the Mets as frontrunners in the National League East, stating, “until we win a division, we can’t claim we’re at the top.” But the Mets’ latest cascade of action moves them closer to that goal than they had been one short month ago.
Trades, however, are not often fullfledged victories for teams, and the demands can be steep when acquiring top-end talent.
So how did the Mets fare in their two trades this week? These are our grades:
Mets get Freddy Peralta in trade with Brewers
● Mets receive RHPs Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers
● Brewers receive INF Jett Williams, RHP Brandon Sproat
Mets grade: AStearns’ familiarity with Peralta goes back to his first season as Brewers’ general manager in 2015 when he acquired the right-hander as part of a trade. From there, he was able to see Peralta’s growth.
In Stearns’ eyes, the 29-year-old right-hander has become one of the top starters in baseball. The numbers back that up from a season ago as Peralta was 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 204 strikeouts in 176 2 ⁄ 3 innings.
On the Mets Andrew Tredinnick NorthJersey.com USA TODAY NETWORK
“He’s emerged as a really quality leader in the clubhouse and with the Brewers. He’s constantly getting better,” Stearns said. “I had a front row seat of that development during his first few years at the major league level. He was never satisfied. He wants to get better. And he’s been able to get about as much out of his ability as any player can, and that’s been fun to watch.”
The Mets will hope that in a contract year, Peralta, who is making $8 million in the final year of his contract, can take it up a notch and lead the club on a deep postseason run.
In Myers, the Mets get a young, controllable right-hander who can start or give length out of the bullpen while filling up the strike zone with four different pitches.
For the Mets, the fear is that Peralta will be one-and-done in New York as one of the top free-agent pitchers next offseason, alongside Tarik Skubal, Michael King, Shota Imanaga, Jesus Luzardo and Chris Sale.
The Mets also gave up huge potential in Williams and Sproat, the club’s Nos. 3 and 5 prospects, respectively. Williams provides quality contact and explosive speed and can play either middle infield spot. Sproat, who pitched in four major league games last season, deploys a high-90s fastball with a quality changeup and sweeper.
“Those are really good players. It’s also the reality of what it costs to acquire good players coming back,” Stearns said. “We’re acquiring one of the better starting pitchers in baseball, a guy who’s been really consistent, and it was going to hurt. It does hurt.
“Giving up good players hurts,” Stearns added, “and those guys are going to be playing in Milwaukee for a long time, and we’re going to be competing against them. We’re also really excited to get Freddy and Tobias here, and I think both of those guys are really going to help.”
Mets acquire Luis Robert Jr. in trade with White Sox
● Mets receive CF Luis Robert Jr. ● White Sox receive INF Luisangel Acuña, RHP Truman Pauley
Mets grade: B
With the Mets bringing in Robert in a late Tuesday deal, the club filled a glaring hole in their outfield. But it’s not quite a slam dunk unless the 27-yearold can regain some of the form that earned him his lone All-Star selection in 2023.
Robert brings an elite glove to the middle of the outfield after he posted a +7 outs above average last season. He also claimed a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2020.
But the offensive production after 2023 when he slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs and 20 stolen bases has fallen off the last two seasons.
Over the last two seasons, Robert’s OPS has fallen to .657 and 661 in consecutive seasons. He also dealt with a hamstring strain last season and a right hip flexor strain in 2024 that forced him to miss substantial time.
The Mets are gambling on Robert’s upside, and that will come at a cost, with the team picking up his $20 million salary this season. They have another $20 million club option for 2027 if he raises his level.
The mystification surrounding Robert’s production is matched by the White Sox return. While Acuña was once a top-five prospect for the Mets, he has been unable to hit consistently at the major league level despite a brief burst after his debut in 2024. Acuña does offer blistering speed and a dependable glove but his offensive growth will determine his long-term stability in MLB.
Pauley appears to be a true lottery ticket as a 22-year-old 14th-round pick of the Mets in last season’s MLB Draft. He pitched four games in Single A last season.
When the final month of 2025 wrapped up, the Mets front office was left to replace several of the club’s vital pieces as their core went out the door.
There was concern among the fan base after Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz all ended up in different cities. But the offseason was far from over, and in a flurry, president of baseball operations David Stearns has sparked some optimism with some flashy replacements.
The most consequential move
might have come late Wednesday night when the Mets added Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers in a trade with the Brewers for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat.
It capped a feverish five-day stretch that saw the Mets also acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox, sign Bo Bichette to a three-year deal and add veteran reliever Luis Garcia.
“We feel good about where our team is,” Stearns said in a video conference Thursday. “We think we’ve got a very good team. Certainly happy with the additions we’ve been able to make over the last couple of days and weeks and also, frankly, really happy with the existing group we have coming back too.”
Then-Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is greeted in the dugout after pitching six-plus innings against the Nationals on July 13 at American Family Field. BENNY SIEU/IMAGN IMAGES
Stearns would not go as far as to claim the Mets as frontrunners in the National League East, stating, “until we win a division, we can’t claim we’re at the top.” But the Mets’ latest cascade of action moves them closer to that goal than they had been one short month ago.
Trades, however, are not often fullfledged victories for teams, and the demands can be steep when acquiring top-end talent.
So how did the Mets fare in their two trades this week? These are our grades:
Mets get Freddy Peralta in trade with Brewers
● Mets receive RHPs Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers
● Brewers receive INF Jett Williams, RHP Brandon Sproat
Mets grade: AStearns’ familiarity with Peralta goes back to his first season as Brewers’ general manager in 2015 when he acquired the right-hander as part of a trade. From there, he was able to see Peralta’s growth.
In Stearns’ eyes, the 29-year-old right-hander has become one of the top starters in baseball. The numbers back that up from a season ago as Peralta was 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 204 strikeouts in 176 2 ⁄ 3 innings.
On the Mets Andrew Tredinnick NorthJersey.com USA TODAY NETWORK
“He’s emerged as a really quality leader in the clubhouse and with the Brewers. He’s constantly getting better,” Stearns said. “I had a front row seat of that development during his first few years at the major league level. He was never satisfied. He wants to get better. And he’s been able to get about as much out of his ability as any player can, and that’s been fun to watch.”
The Mets will hope that in a contract year, Peralta, who is making $8 million in the final year of his contract, can take it up a notch and lead the club on a deep postseason run.
In Myers, the Mets get a young, controllable right-hander who can start or give length out of the bullpen while filling up the strike zone with four different pitches.
For the Mets, the fear is that Peralta will be one-and-done in New York as one of the top free-agent pitchers next offseason, alongside Tarik Skubal, Michael King, Shota Imanaga, Jesus Luzardo and Chris Sale.
The Mets also gave up huge potential in Williams and Sproat, the club’s Nos. 3 and 5 prospects, respectively. Williams provides quality contact and explosive speed and can play either middle infield spot. Sproat, who pitched in four major league games last season, deploys a high-90s fastball with a quality changeup and sweeper.
“Those are really good players. It’s also the reality of what it costs to acquire good players coming back,” Stearns said. “We’re acquiring one of the better starting pitchers in baseball, a guy who’s been really consistent, and it was going to hurt. It does hurt.
“Giving up good players hurts,” Stearns added, “and those guys are going to be playing in Milwaukee for a long time, and we’re going to be competing against them. We’re also really excited to get Freddy and Tobias here, and I think both of those guys are really going to help.”
Mets acquire Luis Robert Jr. in trade with White Sox
● Mets receive CF Luis Robert Jr. ● White Sox receive INF Luisangel Acuña, RHP Truman Pauley
Mets grade: B
With the Mets bringing in Robert in a late Tuesday deal, the club filled a glaring hole in their outfield. But it’s not quite a slam dunk unless the 27-yearold can regain some of the form that earned him his lone All-Star selection in 2023.
Robert brings an elite glove to the middle of the outfield after he posted a +7 outs above average last season. He also claimed a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2020.
But the offensive production after 2023 when he slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs and 20 stolen bases has fallen off the last two seasons.
Over the last two seasons, Robert’s OPS has fallen to .657 and 661 in consecutive seasons. He also dealt with a hamstring strain last season and a right hip flexor strain in 2024 that forced him to miss substantial time.
The Mets are gambling on Robert’s upside, and that will come at a cost, with the team picking up his $20 million salary this season. They have another $20 million club option for 2027 if he raises his level.
The mystification surrounding Robert’s production is matched by the White Sox return. While Acuña was once a top-five prospect for the Mets, he has been unable to hit consistently at the major league level despite a brief burst after his debut in 2024. Acuña does offer blistering speed and a dependable glove but his offensive growth will determine his long-term stability in MLB.
Pauley appears to be a true lottery ticket as a 22-year-old 14th-round pick of the Mets in last season’s MLB Draft. He pitched four games in Single A last season.
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Pipelines Top 100 prospects was released last night. We ended up with 4 because of the trade.
#6 Nolan McLean
#16 Carson Benge
#48 Jonah Tong
#97 A.J. Ewing
Jett was #51 and Sproat #100.
#6 Nolan McLean
#16 Carson Benge
#48 Jonah Tong
#97 A.J. Ewing
Jett was #51 and Sproat #100.
You’d like a few more innings from them but, if Mets get that performance from those 2 we’re in good shape.
I would have given Peralta more if we had a manager who knows how to manage a pitching staff. And McLean- as a rookie, watch they to be very careful managing his innings.
FWIW, which might be nothing, Jett dropped 21 places in this ranking. He had been #30.
I was looking more at the starts and ERA. If these 2 start 59 games and have a combined ERA around 3.00 it sets the staff up to perform very well.
If they're league average at both positions, then they'll be significantly better than what we had last year. Alonso was the lowest rated defensive 1B in the league and the three headed monster at third didn't work well either.
Major League Leaderboards » 2025 » First Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball
Major League leaderboards for 2025 first basemen with fielding statistics
WAR takes offense into account. I also do not think the defensive rating takes scoops into account. It would be difficult for Polanco or Vientos to even be equal to Pete at 1B. Maybe Polanco can transition successfully but Vientos was already really bad.If they're league average at both positions, then they'll be significantly better than what we had last year. Alonso was the lowest rated defensive 1B in the league and the three headed monster at third didn't work well either.
Major League Leaderboards » 2025 » First Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball
Major League leaderboards for 2025 first basemen with fielding statisticswww.fangraphs.com
I hadn't heard that Vientos was designated as the backup 1B.
Why wouldn't Polanco be better than the worst rated defensive 1B in the league?
I appreciate Pete as a player. He was a classic power hitter, who played hard everyday, but was a terrible defender. I wish Pete the best with Baltimore.
Polanco is expected to hit 25+ hrs and not get our starters/relievers injured on bad throws. I'm not expecting a huge drop-off at 1B because he is a quality player, who has been a solid defender at whatever position he's played.
They have been talking about Vientos as the backup 1B this entire time...Also- Polanco- it isn't like the guy was playing 2B/SS/3B through most of the year. He was mostly a DH...But, as I said- I hope he does pick it up well and fast. That would be best for the team.
I dont expect Polanco to be as good as Pete when digging throws out of the dirt. However, he's a 10 year veteran who's always been an above average fielder. I do expect him to have more range, be more accurate on throws, and be more reactive on hard hit balls than Pete.
I could be completely wrong, but I don't expect him to be Devers, butchering almost everything hit at him.