PORT JEFF, NY – Greetings and happy Sunday! Let’s get right into the one big topic we’ve been batting around at MTM HQ: MLB Hot Stove: A Crucial Mets Offseason
2025 was a massive disappointment on countless fronts. While the organization made its biggest free agent signing in franchise history, the way the season ended after such a great start, is unacceptable. For the majority of the 2025 campaign, this was a flat out bad team. The teams two best players Lindor and Soto are in the middle of their prime which is why it’s imperative they address a lot of the glaring holes this offseason.
Kyle Schwarber – Since leaving Chicago, Schwarber has emerged as one of the best power hitters in recent memory. The Mets have been tormented Schwarber during his time in Philly, and prying him away from their biggest rival and pairing him with Soto and Alonso in the middle of the order would make this lineup one of the best in baseball.
Speaking of Alonso…
Since Steve Cohen bought the Amazins, it’s ushered in a new era of Mets baseball from top to bottom. No longer is this team going to be a laughing stock for being cheap. They’ve spent money, built a new culture and tried to put a great product on the field. No player has exemplified the new culture more then Pete Alonso. In an era when stars bounce between teams and fanbases struggle to connect with players, Alonso is one of the few true homegrown stars New York has. Losing him would be devastating. Since debuting in 2019, he’s been everything this franchise could’ve asked for. The Polar Bear has carried this offense through stretches when no one else was hitting. He has embraced the pressure of New York rather than shrinking from it. He’s been accessible, accountable, and passionate. As cliche as it sounds, Alonso is truly the heart and soul of this team and allowing him to walk would be a massive mistake.
Then there’s the rotation, which looks more like a collection of pieces than an actual dependable staff. They need a guy who can go out there and give a solid 200-plus innings.
Too that end…
Dylan Cease.
Cease has shown flashes of brilliance in his career but over the past few seasons has struggled with consistency. I’m not sure exactly the kind of market Cease will command, however I don’t expect the Mets to have to break the bank for him. A short term 2-3 year deal where Cease can prove himself as an ace would be a great get for a Mets team that’s desperate for some upside in the rotation.
And finally, there’s Edwin Díaz. Re-signing him shouldn’t even be a debate. He looked like himself again in 2025, and good teams don’t lose elite closers for nothing. Letting Díaz walk would force the Mets to overpay for an inferior arm or lean on a bullpen that’s already thin. If the Mets are serious about winning, they’ll keep Diaz at any cost
