The New York Mets’ Offseason Overhaul: A Risky yet Promising Move
The New York Mets have undoubtedly had the most intriguing offseason in Major League Baseball. With the departure of longtime lineup anchors Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, as well as closer Edwin Diaz and designated hitter Starling Marte, the team has undergone a significant transformation. This group of players had accumulated 36 seasons with the Mets, making their exit a substantial change for the team.
The Mets have welcomed new additions, including Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver. This overhaul was anticipated, given president of baseball operations David Stearns’ statement at the 2025 season-ending news conference, where he indicated that the team would not “take anything off the table” after finishing 83-79 and missing the playoffs due to a tiebreaker loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Although Mets fans are still reeling from the loss of fan favorites like Alonso, Nimmo, and Diaz, it was clear that retaining the same core of players would not have been the best decision. The Mets had the second-highest payroll in the sport last season, yet they failed to secure a playoff spot. Even when they reached the NLCS in 2024, their performance was not impressive, with a record of 89-73. After signing Juan Soto in the previous winter and receiving a better season from Alonso in 2025, the Mets still scored two fewer runs, and their pitching collapsed down the stretch, resulting in a 21-32 record over the final two months.
Stearns has taken a bold approach to remake the roster, and his recent moves have salvaged the offseason. After missing out on Kyle Tucker, the Mets quickly signed Bichette, who will fit nicely alongside Francisco Lindor and Soto at the top of the lineup. The team still needed an outfielder and a No. 1 starter, so Stearns made the trade for Robert and utilized the deep farm system to acquire Peralta.
Evaluating the Mets’ Roster Moves
The question remains: Are the Mets better now? According to FanGraphs projections, the Mets rank third, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, and just ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. To assess the team’s standing, let’s examine the roster math.
The seven primary new players for the Mets – Bichette, Peralta, Semien, Polanco, Robert, Williams, and Weaver – have a combined FanGraphs projected WAR of 15.5 for 2026. Their total average annual salary is $145.75 million, including a $5.75 million payment to the Athletics for McNeil.
In contrast, the five primary departures – Alonso, Nimmo, Diaz, McNeil, and Marte – had a combined 2025 Baseball Reference WAR of 12.4 and a 2026 FanGraphs projected WAR of 11.0. Their total average annual salary is $114.5 million.
By adding $31 million to their payroll, the Mets have replaced seven key players and added 4.5 projected wins. This is a solid move by Stearns, considering a win on the free market is worth an estimated $10 million to $11 million.
Defensive Improvements and Pitching
The Mets have also improved defensively, with Semien coming off a Gold Glove campaign with the Texas Rangers. Robert, despite injury risks and offensive questions, is excellent in center field, ranking in the 93rd percentile in range via Statcast in 2025. The team may see defensive upgrades at four positions, possibly five, with Bichette at third base and either rookie Carson Benge or Tyrone Taylor in left field.
The pitching rotation, led by Peralta, Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, and Jonah Tong, feels like a solid group. Although FanGraphs ranks it 15th in the majors, projecting regression from Peralta and a so-so 3.72 ERA from McLean, the team’s pitching has the potential to be a key factor in their fortunes in 2026.
The bullpen, aside from Diaz, was not impressive in 2025, finishing 15th in ERA. The signings of Williams and Weaver, both former Yankees, are intriguing, as neither had their best season in 2025. However, Williams’ peripheral numbers remained excellent, and he may not match Diaz’s 2025 numbers but could still be a valuable addition.
Conclusion: A Risky yet Promising Move
In conclusion, the Mets appear better and more balanced heading into the 2026 season. While fans will miss Alonso’s energy and the excitement of Diaz’s entrances, winning solves all complaints. This team has the potential to win the NL East, although it shapes up as a three-team race with the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.
One win can decide the fate of a season, and the Mets hope this roster restructuring leads to more than one additional victory. With a solid lineup, improved defense, and a revamped pitching staff, the Mets are poised to make a strong run in 2026.
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