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Two moves the NY Mets could make next to keep pace with the Braves, NL contenders

How the Mets can react.
ByTim Boyle
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Oct 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Oct 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The GM Meetings didn’t produce a whole lot more than it usually does. Emilio Pagan got a deal with the Detroit Tigers. The Atlanta Braves followed it up with a three-year contract worth $35 with Evan Phillips. It’s this latter deal the New York Mets should take notice of most. Phillips made sense for the Mets and will now enter the NL East where he’s sure to become a pain.

That signing has some fallout. For the Mets, they have two options to get involved.

Two Mets moves sitting on the table to make

Sign Alex Vesia

Why not continue the theft from the Los Angeles Dodgers? Alex Vesia has been an exceptional left-handed reliever for the Dodgers for the last few seasons. He owns a lifetime 2.87 ERA with 12 K/9. His walk rate is poor and reached an unacceptable 5 BB/9 last season. So what? They’re less frustrating than hits which he doesn’t give up many of. Three times he has had a WHIP under 1.00 in his career including 2024 and 2025.

The Dodgers lost Phillips to the Braves. Kicking them while they’re down would be to add Vesia. Although the biggest battle is for Tarik Skubal, signing Vesia away from them would be a satisfying beginning to helping to make clear their dynasty is over.

Sign Raisel Iglesias

Rather than take an approach of “if you can’t beat the Braves, join them” the Mets could think in terms of simply swiping away a player who now looks less likely to remain in Atlanta. The Braves already have Robert Suarez signed. Iglesias seems destined to depart.

A 2.44 ERA and 35 saves last season for the Braves, Iglesias could be considered the most desirable closer out there for some teams. He won’t cost anything extra because there are no qualifying offer penalties following him like there are with others. The Mets bring in a guy who’d probably sign a one-year contract and bump Devin Williams into a setup role. Bada-bing! The Mets bypass adding an expensive setup man by demoting one whose ability to be the closer is already in question.

No rumor has connected the Mets to Iglesias while there have been links to Vesia. We know the Mets are going to do something major with a bullpen upgrade or two. Vesia is the obvious jab. Iglesias is the left hook nobody figured they’d consider.

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