Mets News
Mets 2027 Free Agency Preview: Pitching First, With a Lockout Looming
Pitching is the Mets' top need this winter, and a December 1 lockout could freeze the market. Here are the free agents and targets to watch.
The Mets finished 2026 at 74-88, their first last-place finish since 2003, on one of the biggest payrolls in baseball. Now they have to fix it, and a possible work stoppage makes the timing awkward.
Start with the roster. The core hitters are mostly set. Juan Soto and the other big-money bats are signed, and rookies Carson Benge and AJ Ewing earned everyday jobs. The pitching staff is the weak spot. Several arms were traded away ahead of the August deadline, including Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver and David Peterson, so the rotation and bullpen have holes. David Stearns has said pitching is the focus, and one report says the Mets plan to shop the lower-cost end of the starter market.
Several names have been linked to the club:
Starters. Shane Bieber and Kevin Gausman both had down years in 2026 but have long track records, so they could come at a modest price. Michael King could be a strong second-tier option if he opts out in San Diego, and he has pitched in New York before. Joe Ryan could also reach the market. From Japan, Hiromi Itoh won the Sawamura Award, the country's top pitching honor, and is a possible posting candidate.
Bullpen. Adrian Morejon and Blake Treinen are the relievers drawing interest, and a reunion with AJ Minter is possible after he was dealt before the deadline.
First base. Jared Young held up well in 103 games. A left-handed bat like Josh Bell, or Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, would add competition at the position.
Top ace Tarik Skubal is seen as unlikely, given how much money the Mets already have committed.
The calendar may matter more than any one player. The collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, and both sides expect a lockout. A lockout would freeze free agency and trades, so teams that want to act will likely move early, and a long shutdown could even threaten regular-season games in 2027.
The first month of this offseason will show whether Stearns can fix the pitching before the market freezes.
