Former Cardinals player says NY Mets will target Willson Contreras plus a reliever

Refreshing rumor feeds have basically become offseason cardio for fans, the kind where a quiet morning can turn into a treadmill sprint the moment something interesting pops up. That’s the reality for anyone watching the New York Mets navigate this winter, waiting for the moment the puzzle finally clicks into place. So when a former Cardinals pitcher dropped a surprisingly thoughtful observation, it didn’t slip by unnoticed. It sparked a little extra curiosity.

Lance Lynn didn’t claim to be unveiling a secret or hinting at anything official, yet his comments carried the kind of accidental insight fans latch onto. He pointed out how Willson Contreras fits with what the Mets are trying to build, and then casually floated the idea that a certain Cardinals reliever could sharpen the whole concept. Suddenly, this wasn’t just another passing thought. It felt like the kind of two-part scenario Mets fans love exploring.

JoJo Romero could be the underrated Mets upgrade hiding in this scenario

Lynn’s comments carry weight partly because Contreras already checks so many boxes for what the Mets need after Pete Alonso’s departure. His 2025 line of .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI shows the kind of steady production the lineup is missing. The underlying quality backs it up, too. Contreras ranked in the top 20 percent of MLB in both barrel rate and hard-hit percentage, and his .344 wOBA fits neatly with the consistency he’s shown for years.

The defensive story adds an unexpected boost. Last season was Contreras's first full run at first base after years behind the plate, yet he still posted a +6 OAA and a +4 fielding run value, tying him for fifth among eligible first basemen. That’s not just adjusting well. That’s contributing meaningfully to run prevention, something the Mets need as they rebuild their infield structure. With two years at $36.5 million and a club option for 2028, his contract fits a balanced Stearns approach.

The more intriguing layer Lynn hinted at comes from the bullpen side. JoJo Romero, set to make $5.8 million with one arbitration year remaining, feels like an ideal Mets target for reasons that go beyond surface numbers. His 2.07 ERA in 2025 was strong, but the underlying traits make him stand out. Romero’s groundball rate and average exit velocity both ranked in the top 10 percent of MLB, and his 0.3 HR/9 reflects how effectively he keeps the ball on the ground and in the park.

Romero’s arsenal strengthens the case further. His slider and changeup, thrown more than 60 percent of the time, held hitters under a .185 average and consistently produced softer contact. Those pitches stay off the barrel and feed into his naturally strong groundball profile. For a Mets bullpen looking for steady, low-drama innings, that combination makes him an especially appealing addition.

Put together, the pairing Lynn referenced stops feeling accidental. Contreras gives the Mets a ready-made answer at first base, while Romero brings a style of relief work that complements what the club is trying to build. In an offseason full of noise and half-formed rumors, this two-part idea stands out as something that fits the Mets’ needs with both logic and imagination.