Every top 40 MLB trade candidate the NY Mets should make an offer for this offseason

One thing you can expect from the New York Mets this offseason is heavy investment in the trade market. Rumors have already circled the Mets community with potential targets and mock trades, and you can expect those to linger all winter.

Recently, MLB Trade Rumors published their list of the top 40 trade candidates heading into the offseason. Of these 40 trade candidates, you can expect the Mets to be involved in talks for many of them as they look to retool their rotation and core to be a contender in 2026.

Of the players mentioned in the list of this offseason's top 40 trade candidates, here's who the Mets should be looking at this winter.

Mackenzie Gore

After an All-Star start to the season in which he pitched to a 3.02 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, Gore had a brutal second half, going 1-7 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. Still, there's a ton of potential for the soon 27-year-old, and it doesn't hurt that he's a lefty.

Joe Ryan

Ryan was an All-Star for the first time this season, but struggled mightily after the All-Star break, posting a 4.67 ERA in the second half. Regardless, he's had a few decent years now, and he may be someone worth checking up on as the Mets look to rebuild their rotation.

Mitch Keller

If the Mets were to trade for Keller, don't expect it to be their big rotation move. Keller hasn't had an ERA under 4 since 2022, albeit he was an All-Star in 2023 (thanks to a strong first half). Keller is a four or five guy, if even, but as the Mets have painfully learned year after year, it never hurts to have starting pitching depth.

Sonny Gray

Gray's about to enter his age-36 season. He's seen it all as a major leaguer, except for a deep playoff run. The Mets could use a solid veteran arm to even out the rotation and mentor the young guys, and Gray could use one more season of excitement.

Pablo Lopez

Lopez would be another good fit for the Mets' rotation. He only pitched in 14 games this season due to injury, but in those 14 games he pitched to a 2.74 ERA. Besides, when your rotation was as bad as it was this year, anyone should be an option.

Sandy Alcantara

Having gone through the motions of Tommy John surgery, Alcantara hasn't been himself since his Cy Young season in 2022. However, he pitched to a 3.33 ERA in the second half and seems to be coming back to form. If the Mets can strike a trade while his value is somewhat low, they could get away with stealing a Cy Young pitcher.

Jarren Duran

Whether or not his breakout season in 2024 was an anomaly, Duran has proven himself to be a consistently above-average hitter. David Stearns has mentioned an open-mindedness to shaking up the Mets' offensive core, and a trade for consistency in Duran would be a nice way to do so.

Taylor Ward

The idea of the Angels trading Ward has been thrown around for years now, and after Jon Morosi confirmed that they were once again open to dealing him, it might be worth it for the Mets to make a call. Ward isn't a great fielder or baserunner, but he's been sneaky good at the plate for several years now, and the DH is a position of need for the Mets.

Brady Singer

Singer, much like Mitch Keller, would be a move that provides the Mets with a low-end option or rotation depth. 4.03 ERA aside, his 14-12 record proved to have some value for a Reds team that needed every win they could get to sneak into the playoffs (Mets fans unfortunately know too much about that).

Luis Severino

Circling back to Severino would be an ironic yet potentially fitting way for David Stearns to right the ship. Giving him another shot by starting him small could be beneficial for both parties.

Luis Castillo

Castillo always puts up solid numbers, but the Mets should be warned; his xERA numbers show that he got through 2025 with a little bit of luck. Still, with the way the Mets rotation pitched this season, he would probably have been their number one.

Edward Cabrera

Cabrera, much like Castillo, put up numbers in 2025 that probably showed a bit of overperformance, but again, he'd have been the Mets' number one. Not to mention that breaking ball, which is absolutely killer.

Tarik Skubal

Saving the most obvious name on this list for last, Tarik Skubal's name has been connected to the Mets since the Tigers' season heartbreakingly ended in Seattle. What other team would be willing to give Skubal what he wants, is in desperate need of starting pitching, and has the assets to strike a trade? This feels like fate for the Mets, and a true test for the reputation of David Stearns, which has been questioned more so lately than ever.