Mets’ Rebuild: A Look Ahead to 2026

NEW YORK — Teh mets’ trade of Jeff McNeil to the A’s on Monday seemed to mark a point of delineation for president of baseball operations David Stearns. The core of this team is gone for good. How the mets reimagine it will play a meaningful role in determining their success in 2026.

While there are still plenty of paths the Mets can take this winter, certain areas will be focal points.

Offensive help is coming … but it may not be splashy

Those expecting Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger to land in Flushing may have their wishes fulfilled … but perhaps only if those players experience an unexpectedly light free-agent market.The Mets do need an outfielder and fully intend to add one between now and Opening Day, buttressing themselves against the possibility that No. 2 prospect carson Benge may not be immediately ready to contribute. But the Mets don’t want to block Benge, and they don’t want to commit long-term to an external outfielder if it’s not strictly necessary.

In this case, Mets officials don’t view it as strictly necessary. After just having made the difficult decision to move on from Pete Alonso, the Mets are not eager to sign another player to a long-term deal that would take him into his mid- or late 30s. Philosophically,Stearns is not opposed to long-term contracts. but several factors work against him agreeing to another one this year,including the fact that it’s not a strong free-agent class overall.

Last year, the Mets gave Juan Soto a 15-year contract becuase they considered him a future