What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The 2026 General Managers Meetings kicked off in Las Vegas today, and David Stearns met with the media
The Mets will be meeting with Tarik Skubal next week (New York Post)
Kodai Senga is getting considerable trade interest (The Athletic)
Rumor Mill 💨
The Rangers are reportedly looking to trade Corey Seager this winter (The Athletic)
The Blue Jays are in on Brandon Lowe (SportsNet)
The Padres are interested in Seiya Suzuki, Shota Imanaga, and Teruaki Sato (The Athletic)
The Nationals have gotten calls on former top draft choice OF Dylan Crews (Athletic)
The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
In a new episode of the Just Mets pod, Rich and Andrew commiserate over Carson Benge’s ROY snub, share their confidence in a Skubal signing, and pitch their ideal Mets offseason plan.
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Reacting to David Stearns’ presser in Vegas ✍️
David Stearns faced the media on day one of the GM meetings in Las Vegas. Here’s what he had to say:
Stearns firmly identified first base and pitching as places they plan to add to the roster; he said Jared Young was going to be part of the future of this team, and that they also plan to supplement the position. Stearns also said that Bo Bichette and Juan Soto will remain at their respective spots, shutting down talk of more position switching
He said the pacing of the offseason so far has been “that of a regular offseason” and that he’ll be operating like there will be a full 2027 season and it’s “business as usual” until he’s told otherwise
Regarding second base, Stearns said that Marcus Semien will enter camp with a chance to “play a lot of second base,” but also reiterated that they have ample internal options that they feel good about, saying that while he won’t rule anything out, it’s not a position they’re looking to add to
On building a winning, flexible rotation, Stearns said that “internal development is really important, but you can also do that externally at the lower end of free agency [and] through trades.” Stearns also doubled down on the confidence the organization has in the internal arms, saying there’s “no question” they’ll add to that group, but that he “strongly believes” they also already have arms that pitch at the top of a rotation
Stearns said that Senga will build up as a starter with the opportunity to come to camp and earn that role back. He also said that Jorge Polanco’s role will be dependent on his health, but that his rehab is going exactly as the team would like so far this winter; Stearns also said he still believes there’s value to rotating several players through that position
Repeatedly expressing confidence in the minor league talent currently on the farm, Stearns said that they ‘really like’ where the system is right now. He wouldn’t say anyone was untouchable, and that they wouldn’t close the door on any deal that makes sense, but said they have guys they think “very highly of that would be very difficult to move; in the next breath, he said he expects Jonathan Santucci to play a role for the team in 2027
Another big left-handed pitcher for the Mets to consider
I am not sure the Mets are going to sign Tarik Skubal.
While I do think they’ll do significant work bolstering their pitching staff, and I think they’ll make an offer — because they have to — I do not think they’ll end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a single arm.
Look at some of the quotes Stearns dropped in his presser: adding on the “lower ends” of free agency, vocal confidence in the ability of internal options taking over the rotation, equal faith in the bullpen with verbal commitment to supplementing the group, plans to explore both free agency and the trade market… I think signs could increasingly be pointing away from Skubal.
Stearns also notably said that Devin Williams can be considered the closer “right now”…that seems like an awfully loud conditional to slap onto that sentiment given the time of year we’re in.
Could the Mets then pivot to someone like Adrián Morejón?