A bold truth is this: the Mets aren’t out of the Winter Meetings fight yet, and three savvy acquisitions could reshape their 2026 outlook. If you’re a New York Mets fan hoping the front office would add punch to the roster this winter, you felt the sting as Pete Alonso’s departure to Baltimore and Edwin Diaz’s exit left noticeable gaps. But this isn’t spring training—there are still quality free agents available who can meaningfully upgrade the team.
Here are three free agents the Mets should consider pursuing.
RHP Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen is a two-time Reliever of the Year winner and remains an elite closer when he’s healthy. In 2025, he posted a 2.59 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, 57 strikeouts, and 29 saves over 59 innings, delivering an era of stability at the end of games and an impressive 165 ERA+ alongside 2.4 Wins Above Replacement. Since the Mets have already bid farewell to Diaz and also parted ways with reliable relievers acquired last year, they desperately need a dependable closer back at the back end. Jansen’s cutter-heavy approach and proven track record make him a logical option, especially given his reliability in high-leverage situations. He would give Devin Williams room to settle into a setup role, following a rough 2025 campaign in which Williams posted a 4.79 ERA after arriving from the Yankees. Adding Jansen wouldn’t preclude further bullpen enhancement; last season, New York’s relief crew ranked middling in several key metrics, including a 3.93 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP, with a .244 opponent average. Jansen would bring immediate ninth-inning certainty while the Mets explore additional bullpen depth later in the offseason.
OF Cody Bellinger
Bellinger has already proven he can impact a lineup in multiple ways, and he checks multiple boxes the Mets currently lack. For 2025, he slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, a 125 OPS+, and 5.1 WAR across 588 at-bats. The Mets currently have only one clearly defined starting outfielder entering next season—Juan Soto—after trading Brandon Nimmo to acquire Marcus Semien and seeing Cedric Mullins depart, with Starling Marte and Jesse Winker still unsigned as free agents. Bellinger could slot into left field initially while also providing a strong option in center or even right, depending on how roster construction evolves. His versatility is a major asset; he has significant experience in center and right and has logged extensive time at first base as well. Importantly, Bellinger brings left-handed power and a high-impact bat, coming off the strongest season since his 2019 MVP year. In short, a left-handed hitter who can play several positions at a solid level and who carries substantial postseason experience would be a major upgrade for a lineup that needs balance and depth.
LHP Framber Valdez
Valdez would instantly become the Mets’ top arm and the anchor of their rotation. Across 192 innings in 2025, he posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 187 strikeouts, and a 114 ERA+. While the year wasn’t his best, he remains one of the elite left-handed starters in the game, known for lasting deep into games and thriving in pressure situations. His repertoire—sinker, curveball, and changeup—offers reliability and swing-and-miss possibilities, and he has a track record of success in the postseason, including 16 career postseason starts with the Astros.
The Mets’ rotation faced notable instability in the second half of 2025, with Senga’s performance dipping and Peterson struggling, and the overall metrics weren’t kind. Valdez would give them a true ace who can deliver length and quality starts, stabilizing the staff and allowing internal options like Nolan McLean and Clayton Holmes to settle in behind him. If the Mets wanted to push for more, they could consider pairing Valdez with another top-tier arm through free agency or a bold trade, but securing an elite anchor should come first.
Bottom line: adding a closing ace in Jansen, a dynamic and versatile bat in Bellinger, and a frontline starter in Valdez would address the most pressing roster gaps while boosting depth and postseason experience. These moves would signal that the Mets are serious about returning to the playoffs and contending at a high level in 2026.
Would you prioritize one of these targets above the others, or would you prefer the Mets explore additional options to diversify their risk and ceiling?
