After coming up short on Thursday in their pursuit of top free agent Kyle Tucker, the New York Mets finally made the monster splash fans were hoping for when they signed two-time All-Star Bo Bichette. But could another massive move be right around the corner?
Yesterday, the NY Mets took another gut punch in what has been a frustrating offseason for fans. After making a serious push to sign Tucker, including an offer that would pay him $55 million a year, the four-time All-Star instead took a massive four-year, $240 million deal from rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the NY Mets responded to the setback immediately when The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported the club and the Toronto Blue Jays star have agreed on a three-year deal worth $126 million. The surprising move means they still have an obvious need in the outfield, and a bunch of young, high upside infielders (Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna) that are surely available for trades.
Following the Bichette signing, we look at six big moves the team could make next.
Sign Framber Valdez
After failing to sign Tucker, a new report suggested the NY Mets could respond by focusing more on their pitching staff. That could still be the case. That is why going after the best arm available on this year’s market, Framber Valdez.
The Houston Astros veteran is not a superstar, but he is a legit ace-level pitcher. Something the club needs. The biggest holdup is that the 32-year-old reportedly wants a long-term deal. However, with the market showing teams aren’t interested in such a pact, maybe he relents and takes a shorter deal to play in New York.
Trade For Fernando Tatis Jr.
If the NY Mets wanted to make another bold move for a young All-Star, San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. would be an interesting option. It is no secret that San Diego really wants to slash payroll. Do they want to move the star outfielder? Probably not, but if the Mets are willing to take Xander Bogaerts’ contract in a deal, they should seriously consider it.
Furthermore, after the Dodgers’ latest moves, the Pads are falling far behind in the arms race. So, offloading a lot of payroll and getting some of New York’s elite prospects back would benefit the franchise in a major way for the short and long-term.
For the Mets, the combo of Juan Soto and Tatis Jr. at the heart of the order — and Francisco Lindor leading off — is reason to hope that they can at least contend for an NL East title in 2026.
Trade for Tarik Skubal
There have been rumblings for months that the Detroit Tigers might consider trading AL Cy Young Tarik Skubal before the season. However, that has seemed less likely in recent weeks. But if the pitcher gets the massive arbitration pay increase he is looking for, there is speculation that might force the Tigers to open up trade discussions soon.
While a trade is a risk since he will hit free agency after the season, the NY Mets have the young assets to get a deal done, and adding Skubal is the sort of move that helps make them a threat to the Dodgers.
Trade for Freddy Peralta
If they don’t want to give up the proverbial King’s ransom for Skubal, they could make a more palatable trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. While he is also set to hit free agency next winter, he is an elite talent who will also only make $8 million in 2026.
Trade for Luis Robert Jr.
Chicago White Sox veteran Luis Robert Jr. has been a rumored target of the NY Mets for the last couple of years. However, the asking price has always been too high for teams around the league. Following a second straight injury-laden and disappointing season, his value has dipped even further.
While giving up a top 20 prospect would be a risk, the 28-year-old one-time All-Star is still filled with so much potential. Furthermore, he is in the final year of his deal, so if this is the player he really is, the team can move on from him after the season.
Trade for Mason Miller
There were reports last month that the NY Mets and Padres were engaged in trade talks for several players, one of them being fireballer Mason Miller. You can never have enough impact pitching out of the pen, and the one-time All-Star has arguably the most electric stuff in MLB.
Adding him to a bullpen with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver gives New York great 7th, 8th, and 9th inning options. He is also under team control through 2029 and could be a starting pitcher option in the future. Two of the Mets aformentioned young infielders could be included in a deal for the reliever.
