Mets checklist for 2025 MLB Winter Meetings: Breaking down the biggest needs

The Mets have already made two bold moves this offseason — trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien and signing Devin Williams to bolster the back end of the bullpen.

With New York looking to rebound following a season with sky high expectations that ended with them missing the playoffs, expect more boldness — especially with now seeming like the right time to trade some of the team’s top prospects if the right impact player is available.

Here’s what the Mets’ checklist should be as David Stearns and Co. attend the MLB Winter Meetings this week in Orlando…

Re-sign Edwin Diaz

I said it right after the 2025 season ended, and nothing has changed. Re-signing Diaz should be the easiest decision the Mets make this offseason.

With Williams on board, the team has added a usually lights-out reliever whose relatively down 2025 campaign feels like an aberration — with that belief bolstered by Williams’ underlying numbers and the fact that his changeup remained one of the most dominant pitches in the sport.

But Williams should be part one of two, and the endgame has him serving as the setup man and handing the ball to Diaz to close things out.

Much has been made of the Nimmo trade, and how it could be a sign that Stearns isn’t sentimental when it comes to retaining fan favorites. But bringing Diaz back wouldn’t be about pleasing the fan base. It would simply be the right baseball move for a team that is trying to win the World Series.

New York indicated after signing Williams that they remain interested in bringing Diaz back, and they have to know that it will take at least four years to get it done. So their willingness to signal their continued interest in Diaz after inking Williams suggests they’ll eventually be comfortable going to four years.

The big question, then, is whether any team is willing to offer Diaz a five-year contract, and if the Mets would match it. Taking all of the reporting into account, it doesn’t seem like it will be the Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox who go long for Diaz. It could be the Blue Jays, but reports have connected them more to the relievers a tier below Diaz. Toronto is also in on Kyle Tucker, and is trying to re-sign Bo Bichette.

All of this points to a sensible resolution between the Mets and Diaz, who has been clear about his desire to stay. If some team does offer five years, perhaps the Mets can strike a balance by upping the average annual value on a four-year deal and making it just as appealing as any hypothetical five-year one.

Try to get clarity on Pete Alonso’s plan

As was the case last offseason, it can be argued that Alonso is the best fit for the Mets and that the Mets are the best fit for Alonso.

But his free agency could drag out anyway, with reports that he’s seeking a seven-year deal.

While a seven-year deal (or even a six-year contract) doesn’t feel likely, Alonso and agent Scott Boras are under no obligation to give up that hope quickly. And that leaves the Mets in a tough spot.

They’re going to need to add serious power, whether it’s achieved by re-signing Alonso or signing/trading for someone else. But they can’t afford to wait until January to find out if a reunion with Alonso is likely.

If they determine Alonso’s asking price is too high, or that he’s simply not willing to compromise in the next few weeks, they might have to pivot — which could potentially result in the end of Alonso’s tenure in Queens.

What that pivot could look like is anyone’s guess, but free agent Kyle Schwarber is among the interesting possibilities.

Address the starting rotation

It was the failure of the rotation that was most responsible for dooming the Mets’ 2025 season. And their biggest task this offseason is adding pitchers to it who help ensure that it doesn’t wilt again.

While the easiest way to add impact pitching could be signing free agent Framber Valdez, it can be argued that it isn’t prudent to give a 32-year-old pitcher a long-term deal.

There are less expensive options on the free agent market, like Ranger Suarez and Michael King, but they come with their own question marks.

If the Mets believe in 27-year-old Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai as a No. 3 starter with the upside to be more, he could make the most sense as the free agent they set their sights on.

But New York needs to add a legitimate top of the rotation arm, and the best way to do that is by turning to the trade market, where Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta are the best fits (assuming Tigers ace Tarik Skubal isn’t available).

As is noted above, this could be the offseason for the Mets to dangle some of their top prospects if the right trade comes along. A deal for Ryan or Peralta would qualify.

Explore the outfield possibilities

The Nimmo trade means that there are now holes in both left field and center field, and there are a whole bunch of different ways the Mets can go.

Stearns said before the Nimmo trade that prospect Carson Benge could possibly break camp as the starting center fielder. Now, the possibility exists that he begins the season as the starting left fielder.

The presence of Tyrone Taylor gives the Mets a defense-first option to play center, but it seems unlikely they’d go internal in both center and left — unless they bolster other positions in a big way.

There’s also a chance the future of Alonso impacts what the Mets do in the outfield.

For example, if Alonso leaves, it would make sense for New York to be more inclined to spring for someone like free agent Cody Bellinger.

There are also intriguing trade options, including Jarren Duran of the Red Sox, Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, and Byron Buxton of the Twins — players who should fit in a world with or without Alonso.

Resolve the situations with Kodai Senga and Jeff McNeil

Despite Stearns saying after the Nimmo for Semien trade that McNeil is on board with what the Mets are doing, it feels pretty likely that he will be playing elsewhere in 2026.

With just one year remaining on his deal, it shouldn’t be difficult to find interested teams for the versatile 33-year-old. In the event the Mets don’t find anyone willing to give fair value, they could always keep McNeil and have him be a super utility player.

The situation with Senga is much trickier.

Senga’s upside is enormous, but he hasn’t been on the mound enough (Stearns himself said it would be “foolish” to rely on Senga for 30 starts in 2026). Part of that is due to injury, and part of it is due to issues with Senga’s mechanics and comfortability — something that led to him going to the minors late last season, working on things, and deciding he wasn’t able to contribute to the big league team after that minor league stint.

He is set to earn $30 million over the final two guaranteed years of his contract. And given what pitchers have been getting on the free agent market, Senga should be appealing to teams who think they can get his mechanics right and keep him healthy. But the Mets shouldn’t be giving him away.

Other possible trade candidates include Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña, and Mark Vientos.