The latest on the Mets’ offseason, why Alonso beat Schwarber and more MLB notes
If the New York Mets intend to keep tightening their spending in free agency, they’ll need to trade prospects to obtain real major-league help. The team is reportedly weighing multiple top prospects in various trade concepts, according to a team official. Yet some rivals question how aggressively the Mets will actually shop. One rival executive, perhaps exaggerating for emphasis, said, “they’re basically not willing to part with anyone.”
That observation raises a fresh question: how exactly will the Mets rebuild after sending left fielder Brandon Nimmo to acquire second baseman Marcus Semien and after losing closer Edwin Díaz and first baseman Pete Alonso in free agency?
Surely, chief baseball officer David Stearns has plans. And the frustration from other clubs about the Mets’ supposed reluctance to trade could simply reflect Stearns pushing back on lofty asking prices for certain targets.
Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox is among the names the Mets have discussed, per people familiar with the talks. But with Robert entering a $20 million free-agent year, the Mets may prefer to part with only modest value in any deal.
There’s still ample time in the offseason. Mets owner Steve Cohen is the wealthiest in the sport, and while long-term projections aren’t gospel, Fangraphs currently projects the Mets to rank sixth in Wins Above Replacement on the roster chart.
Looking at positions, Fangraphs has the Mets second in right field with Juan Soto, fourth at shortstop with Francisco Lindor, eighth at catcher with Francisco Álvarez, and eighth at second with Semien. They’re even tenth at first base with Mark Vientos stepping in for Alonso, yet they show notable weaknesses in center field and left. Their bullpen ranks 12th, and their starting pitchers sit at 17th in the league.
Much can still change. The next Met to depart could be Jeff McNeil, who Fangraphs projects to be the primary left fielder, while Carson Benge, who hasn’t yet debuted in the majors, is forecast to log the most playing time in center field.
At some point, the Mets will need to augment the roster beyond Semien and the free-agent reliever Devin Williams. They can pursue a cautious path in both trades and free agency for only so long.
Why Alonso beat Schwarber
The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Kyle Schwarber to sign for about $145 million over five years and Pete Alonso for around $140 million. Yet Alonso ultimately landed a slightly more lucrative deal: $155 million over five years for Alonso versus $150 million for Schwarber.
Schwarber was coming off a stronger season, and his market appeared more robust. But Alonso, who just turned 31, is nearly two years younger than Schwarber, who will be 33 in March. It’s also possible that Alonso benefited from following Schwarber’s bidding dynamics.
The Orioles initially offered Schwarber the same package as the Phillies, and after missing out, pivoted quickly to Alonso. It’s unclear whether other clubs approached as closely to the Orioles’ offer, but they ensured they secured their target.
In any case, Alonso exceeded expectations and emerged as the bigger winner of the two.
Context on Alonso’s earnings adds up. In June 2023, he declined a seven-year, $158 million extension from the Mets, which would have covered his final arbitration year and six free-agent years. After a lengthy free-agent negotiation, he re-signed with the Mets last February on a two-year, $54 million deal that included a $30 million salary for 2025 and a one-year opt-out.
So, the math looks like this: Alonso’s two free-agent contracts total six years and $185 million. Adding $20.5 million earned in his final arbitration year brings it to seven years, $205.5 million—about a 30 percent increase from the Mets’ initial seven-year offer.
More on Robert
The White Sox’ decision to hold onto Robert at the trade deadline now looks debatable, as they were left with the choice of exercising a $20 million club option or getting nothing in return. The gamble appeared riskier when Robert later strained his left hamstring and didn’t play after August 26. Chicago reasoned that the offseason market for Robert wouldn’t differ dramatically from the trade deadline market, a judgment some may view as optimistic.
MLB.com’s Mike Petriello noted that right-handed-hitting outfielders are scarce. While Robert has drawn interest from the Mets and Phillies, he could end up with a lower-payroll club that ends up swinging and missing on free agents—perhaps the Pittsburgh Pirates. For a trade to work, Chicago would likely need to throw in cash to make Robert more affordable, and the White Sox have signaled openness to such a move as a way to boost the trade return.
Around the league
A snapshot of ongoing discussions and rumors from major-league sources:
- The Miami Marlins remain a potential destination for free-agent reliever Pete Fairbanks, though no concrete agreement is imminent. Several teams with established closers are in touch with Fairbanks’ representatives, hoping to replicate a late-inning setup model similar to the Braves’ Robert Suárez and Raisel Iglesias.
- The Boston Red Sox have repeatedly shown interest in reacquiring catcher Kyle Teel from the White Sox, a development first reported by MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Chicago has shut down inquiries, preferring not to part with Teel, a left-handed-hitting catcher known for zone control at the plate. Teel, who turns 24 in February, was part of Chicago’s four-player trade package for left-hander Garrett Crochet a year ago.
- The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to trim outfield depth, likely by moving Isaac Collins or Blake Perkins in exchange for a reliever with minor-league options remaining. Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio are expected in the corners next season, while Perkins and Garrett Mitchell could handle center field, with Brandon Lockridge as a fourth outfielder and Akil Baddoo as a new option.
- The Texas Rangers are seeking a catcher to pair with Kyle Higashioka and are connected to free agents Victor Caratini and Danny Jansen. They’re also pursuing a young catcher via trade; Higashioka, 35, is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and carries a $7 million mutual option for 2027, a choice most teams would likely decline.
- Left-hander Foster Griffin could be the next former major-leaguer to return from Japan. The 30-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, finishing 2025 with a 1.52 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 89 innings. A 2014 first-round pick by the Kansas City Royals, Griffin offers a six-pitch mix — four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, split, curveball, and sweeper — and would likely be viewed as a back-end starter by the team that signs him.
