5 NY Mets free agent predictions for the 2026-2027 offseason

MLB hasn’t gone into a pre-lockout frenzy just yet. The New York Mets have yet to engage in free agency from start to finish with only rumors of who they like offering us any hint as to what the roster will be in 2027. None of the rumors have been particularly shocking. They want pitching. They want a first baseman. Other needs, as well, could be addressed through free agency.

Half-way through November, it’s time to make some predictions for what the Mets will do in free agency. It’s only 50% of the offseason battle as this is a team poised to explore multiple trade scenarios in addition to throwing cash at available players.

Five Mets free agent predictions for the 2026-2027 offseason

1) The Mets do land Tarik Skubal and for less than everyone thought

A lack of competition in terms of teams who were “willing to go there” helps the Mets sign Tarik Skubal and for less than what everyone expected. That can mean dollars, years, or a combination of them both. Skubal is one of those players that, if Steve Cohen wants him, he will get him much like the Juan Soto situation. There is even more pressure on the Mets to get it done after two disappointing seasons. With Soto, they were coming off of the high of 2024 and the same urgency wasn’t there.

2) The Mets definitely don’t sign Alex Vesia, so who do they add?

The Mets aren’t going to win every major bidding war. Alex Vesia is a popular left-handed free agent candidate to join anyone’s bullpen. He’s going to sign elsewhere as the Mets go full throttle toward Skubal instead. Rather than add Vesia, the Mets end up with two lesser left-handed options. One is Brooks Raley who we’d be satisfied with. The other is added via trade for a guy either out of options, Rule 5 Draft eligible, or with some other incentive for his club to trade him other than poor performance. Nate Lavender is still a factor with this mystery player being more of a third-stringer.

3) Paul Goldschmidt, welcome back to New York

Paul Goldschmidt almost makes too much sense for the Mets as the first base platoon partner of Jared Young. This is a position the Mets were too passive about last winter. Goldschmidt’s contract demands and abilities fit well enough where they don’t have to be as bold as many of us would like them to. Between Goldschmidt and Young, they make a pretty good player. The Mets can circle around the league at the trade deadline if they’re playing well enough to be buyers and look for an upgrade. Young will have minor league options and Goldschmidt shouldn’t be someone they hold onto if he’s performing poorly.

4) The Mets sign whoever this winter’s Griffin Canning is

The Mets will sign a second starting pitcher and also trade for one. Yep. It’s going to get crowded. The second starter they do sign won’t be ace material. He’s going to be whoever this winter’s Griffin Canning happens to be. Could it even be Canning? That name might not even be known yet as Canning was traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Atlanta Braves only to get non-tendered shortly after. Don’t spend too much time trying to figure out who this player could be.

5) Myles Straw rounds out the Mets bench

Myles Straw can run and field. He’s what the Mets will accept Nick Morabito to be. Morabito, unfortunately, won’t get an Opening Day roster spot. Already a candidate to possibly even be traded because the club favors other prospects in need of 40-man roster protection, the Mets secure their outfield depth by giving Straw a one-year deal with an option for a second season. The promise they make to him is starts in center field against tough lefties, spot starts when Juan Soto is the DH, and plenty of appearances in the 8th inning or later to pinch run or catch the final out of a game.

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