What’s next for the Mets after signing Bo Bichette? Free agency, trade options

Another chapter was added to the Mets’ consecutive 2025-26 Major League Baseball postseason frustrations Thursday night, when they lost their bid to sign top-ranked free agent Kyle Tucker. Tucker is over signing with the reigning champion Dodgersand that meant that Steve Cohen, David Stearns, and company had to move on to other names and other plans. Those plans quickly materialized on Friday when the Mets agreed to terms with shortstop Bo Bichette a three-year deal worth $126 million. That way, some of those worries disappeared.

The Bichette splash was needed in many ways for the Mets. Aside from the obvious issue of roster needs, there was an almost palpable frustration among Mets fans. He said the frustration was there after losing franchise home run leader and beloved Mets lifer Pete Alonso to the Orioles in free agency, then losing Lockdown closer Edwin Díaz (and his closest doormat of the class) to the Dodgers. Yes, Stearns did a reasonably good job of balancing Alonso and Díaz’s output by signing Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, and then Luke Weaver, but those names didn’t resonate with paying customers, at least relative to the words “Alonso” and “Díaz.” So Tucker’s loss was felt all the more after that disappointment. In that sense, the addition of Bichette — our No. 3 are considered free agents for the 2025-26 class — made to order for the Mets.

So while the addition of Bichette eases the pressure to get the needle moving this winter, the Mets probably aren’t done as we head into the back half of January. Assuming that’s the case, what could the Mets be planning? Let’s explore the Mets and Bichette’s other options as winter continues to wind down.

Pursuing Tucker aggressively shows the Mets are looking to upgrade the outfield, and Bellinger checks that box. He is coming off an impressive 5.1-WAR season with the crosstown Yanks, and over the past three seasons has a 125 OPS+. Also, Bellinger in 2025 played in 152 games, his most since his 2019 MVP campaign. Before the deployment, Bellinger was also able to play the Mets’ left field or a very capable slide manning first base if that post-Alonso role emerged as a major need. If Bellinger were to replace Tyrone Taylor in center, one could argue that the Mets’ lineup would swing more to left. That would mean it’s important for Stearns to fill out the bench with more options from the right side, but that’s not a very heavy lift.

Bellinger is about to enter his age 30 season, which means there is a diminishing risk to consider if the contract he signs is long. That, however, is often the cost of doing business when it comes to premium free agents, even if short-term, high-AAV deals like the one Tucker signed are becoming more common. Bellinger for at least the next few seasons, however, projects as a more important contributor. Also, fans who are currently suffering would be happy to snag another outfielder from the Yankees.

Option 2: Add an ace

The Mets have an interesting cycle right now, and Nolan McLean has ace potential in the long run. However, it clearly shines on the known values ​​that also provide front-end talent, and that’s why the Mets may be better served to pursue rotation help.

The prize, of course, is Tigers uber-ace and back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. It’s far from certain he’s available for a trade in his 2026 walk-off year, but Skubal’s blockbuster is well within the range of offseason possibilities. To be clear, the Tigers must make a bona fide effort to sign him to an extension or, failing that, keep him in the playoffs for a third straight year. If, however, Detroit entertains serious trade talks for Skubal, then the Mets figure to be among them.

Skubal’s qualities are obvious. Isele, 29, over the last three seasons, has pitched to a 2.39 ERA with a 2.39 FIP to match, and has struck out 31.5% of opposing batters — a truly impressive stat for a rookie. The cost of a trade would be high even with Skubal entering his walk year, but the Mets have little talent to make it. A recent addition to that pile of young tradeable talent is Brett Baty. Baty may be in line to be the Mets’ regular third baseman this season, but that’s now Bichette’s province (with Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien in the lineup, Bichette won’t be back in center field). Assuming the Tigers are willing to make such a deal, the Mets could put together an impressive package.

Failing that, there’s Freddy Peralta of the Brewers. Like Skubal, he is a 29-year-old Midwest club making a playoff run. While he’s no Skubal in terms of quality, Peralta has developed into one of the world’s best hitters. He has reached 200 strikeouts in each of the past three seasons, and Peralta is fresh off a 2025 campaign in which he posted a 154 ERA+ in 33 starts and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. Adding to his trade ad is the fact that he only owes $8 million in 2026. Suffice it to say, Peralta will be a steady presence in the Mets’ front rotation, and there is certainly some reported interest in them. There is also familiarity with Stearns, if that matters to any of them.

If, instead, the Mets turn to a free agent to address their rotation needs, then Framber Valdez is probably the most attractive. The 32-year-old port-sider is a sinkerball specialist who boasts one of the strongest groundball tendencies in the game today. That could fit well with a Mets infield defense that now includes Semien at second base. Alonso’s departure could also help in that regard. Valdez over the past four seasons has a 127 ERA+, and has averaged 191 ⅔ innings per campaign over that span. That’s a rock arm and something the Mets could use.

Before we go any further, let’s note that Cohen has the money to acquire Bellinger again improve circulation, even after the emergence of Bichette.

Method 3: Let the children play

In this scenario, the Mets will withdraw from the market activity that grabbed the headlines after the arrival of Bichette and instead rely on their base of young talents to fill out the core of Juan Soto, Lindor, Bichette, and company. This broad approach would include, among other possibilities, making McLean the Opening Day starter, shifting Vientos and his still-promising power bat to DH or first base (that will likely happen with Bichette now on board anyway), installing top prospect Carson Benge as a regular outfielder, and turning to Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat for depth. There is also the real possibility that young pitcher Francisco Alvarez will take the next step in his development as a striker.

This, of course, is a risky approach and one that might discourage Mets fans at first. However, if the Mets get significant value from even some of those names above, the fan chant could change and the Mets could find themselves back in the postseason with a bright long-term future.

However, Cohen and Stearns decide to play it, the remainder of the offseason in Queens will be compelling.