2 NY Mets offseason targets becoming more desirable in the MLB playoffs, 2 now less so

The New York Mets are likely keeping a watchful eye on how some of their potential offseason targets are performing in the postseason this year. It's always important to see how certain players either rise to the occasion on the big stage or crumble under the bright lights in the playoffs.

For that, we're taking a look at two possible Mets offseason targets, who have increased their stock in the postseason and two who have diminished it based off their performance and availability. Let's dive into it.

Two Mets targets that are more desirable

Tarik Skubal

Although he has only made one start so far in the postseason, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal looked sharp in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. The left-hander went six innings on 94 pitches, allowing just two hits and a solo home run, while striking out seven and walking two. If Skubal helps lead the Dodgers to a third consecutive World Series title this October, he will only become that much more desirable when he hits the free agent market this winter. The Mets should go all-in on Skubal this offseason, but it will be difficult to pry him away from the Dodgers, especially if they pull off the three-peat.

Michael King

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King, who is surely to opt-out of his contract this offseason to test the open market, has risen to the occasion in the postseason. King has a 0.64 ERA in three appearances and two starts across the Wild Card round and NLDS. With the Padres facing elimination on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, King came out of the bullpen on two days rest to toss two shutout innings on 40 pitches and pickup the save with Mason Miller on the paternity list and Adrian Morejon dealing with a shoulder injury. It was a heroic effort by King to save his team's season and the Mets should want to add a pitcher they can count on in that aspect.

Two targets that are less desirable:

Adrian Morejon

Speaking of Morejon, he's now dealing with a shoulder issue that kept him out of his team's most important game of the year. While the performance has been decent, 2.25 ERA in two appearances (four innings), he did give up three hits and a solo home run in Game 1 of the NLDS and was unavailable in Game 3 and Game 4. Morejon is going to command big money on the free agent market and shoulder injuries can be tricky for pitchers. With this new shoulder injury and the money/years he will draw on the open market, Morejon should be less desirable to the Mets after this postseason.

Kevin Gausman

Last but not least we have Kevin Gausman, who didn't pitch well in his lone start with the Chicago Cubs. Gausman is supposed to be a frontline starter, but lasted only 3.1 innings on 54 pitches in Chicago's Game 2 elimination loss to the Padres. The Mets need to add starting pitching ahead of the 2027 season, however, Gausman is looking like a much less desirable target after the way he performed in his one postseason start. He also had a 4.83 ERA in nine starts after the Cubs acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline. He did not improve his case in the Wild Card round after the Cubs got swept in two games by the Padres, with Gausman coming up small in the final contest.

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