The New York Mets are anticipated to be proactive in free agency, with MLB insider Jim Bowden predicting they will target starting pitchers.
While the Mets have been rumored to be interested in Juan Soto, Bowden’s offseason forecast in *The Athletic* suggests New York could secure two top-tier free-agent starters, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.
Bowden states, “The Mets prioritize starting pitching in free agency, signing both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to long-term deals while also retaining first baseman Pete Alonso, resulting in more than half a billion dollars in future salary commitments to lock down this trio.”
If the Mets succeed in signing Burnes and Fried, it would mark a highly successful offseason, strengthening their rotation and reinforcing their status as World Series contenders. Bowden also envisions both pitchers committing to long-term contracts with the Mets.
Burnes, who posted a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA over 32 starts for the Baltimore Orioles, would serve as a dominant ace. Fried, a left-hander with an 11-10 record and 3.25 ERA in 29 starts for the Atlanta Braves, could slot in as the Mets’ No. 3 starter.
Mets Focused on Sustaining Success
Despite a slow start to the season, the New York Mets reached the NLCS. Following this strong run, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has set a new objective: to establish sustainable success moving forward.
“We enjoyed this run,” Stearns remarked. “Our fan base enjoyed this run. We have great memories from this run. But it’s also time to look ahead and see what steps we can take to build on this, aiming for the kind of lasting competitiveness that’s long eluded this organization.”
New York began the season with a 22–33 record but surged ahead, finishing 67–40 down the stretch to end the regular season at 89–73 and secure a playoff spot.
After this postseason push, Stearns is focused on making the Mets a consistent World Series contender.
Mets May Rebuild Rotation
New York is expected to prioritize pitching during the offseason.
The Mets have Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana set to become free agents, all of whom played significant roles in the rotation this past season. With all three hitting free agency, Stearns indicates that addressing the rotation and pitching will be a key focus for the team.
“I believe we need to evaluate each player individually to see if a long-term commitment is justified, prudent, and aligns with the organization’s best interests,” Stearns noted. “Historically, long-term investments in pitchers haven’t always yielded positive results. However, there have been pitchers who have excelled well into their mid- to late 30s. If we can pinpoint those cases, there could be exceptions.”
For the 2025 season, the Mets have Kodai Senga, Paul Blackburn, David Peterson, Tylor Megill, and Christian Scott as starting pitchers under contract. However, the team lacks a true ace, making players like Burnes and Fried strong candidates for New York.
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