Has the Met Takeover Made the Mets Better?

The baseball offseason has become the ultimate marathon come winter time. 

From a time standpoint, it almost feels it takes as long as the 162 games that are played throughout the year. 

For Mets fans, this offseason could not have started on a more sour note. 

The team lost cornerstone players Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso on consecutive days in early December. 

Before this past week, it was the offseason of departures. 

Diaz, Alonso combined with the trade of Brandon Nimmo had Mets fans in a state of panic regarding the organization. 

Mets fans were dying for action especially knowing the way owner Steve Cohen can flex financially. 

The Mets first pursuit in free agency did not exactly go according to plan. 

The team pursued outfielder Kyle Tucker and offered him a short term contract for massive money. 

Tucker spurned the Mets for the Dodgers, stunner! 

It ended up being a blessing in disguise. 

Mets GM David Stearns pivot since the Tucker decision has been absolutely fantastic. 

Out of nowhere the team signed Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette to basically the same contract they were going to give Kyle Tucker. 

Bichette provides more balance to the lineup and is better equipped to handle New York. 

Tuesday, the Mets finally landed their center fielder. 

They traded for White Sox OF Luis Robert who yes is coming off two down seasons, but it also a former All Star who hit 35 plus home runs in 2023. 

A classic low risk, high reward type of trade. 

The icing on the cake came Wednesday night. 

The biggest reason the 2025 Mets missed the postseason was the fact that their pitching staff was an absolute disaster. 

Wisely, a big time starting pitcher was brought into the equation for 2026. 

The Mets traded for Brewers All Star Freddie Peralta for Brandon Sproat and prospect Jett Williams. 

The Mets are getting top notch quality at the top of their rotation. 

Peralta takes the ball every fifth day and has recorded 200 plus strikeouts in 3 consecutive seasons. 

Is Peralta a true ace? Not necessarily. 

He absolutely profiles as a legitimate 1 A and front line starter. 

So the Mets offseason appears to be all but complete. 

There is no question, the rotation with a full season of Nolan McLean and the arrival of Peralta should be significantly improved. 

The lineup is deeper, but is it more powerful and as durable as it was a year ago? 

Will the bullpen be able to survive the loss of Edwin Diaz with the 1, 2 punch of Devin Williams and Luke Weaver?  

If the Mets can answer questions two and three, they will be a better team and back in the postseason for 2026. 

After all, with the winter he’s had, David Stearns is counting on it. 

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday & Thursday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite at 11 PM on SNY.