BY MIKE RIFKIN
The 2026 Mets were a disaster. One of the areas that gave fans optimism was the starting rotation. Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton are young starters, who give you hope. Sean Manaea had a tale of two halves, but still finished with a ERA of 4.78. Kodai Senga looked better out of the bullpen then he did as a starter. Jonah Tong, who is still young can start next season at AAA. How can the Mets round out the rotation. Tarik Skubal is the top name on the market so let’s put him aside for now what other options are there for the Mets when it comes to pitching.
FREE AGENTS
- KEVIN GAUSMAN – There’s a lot of mileage on that right arm, and he’ll be 36 next season, I would pass up on Gausman.
- Freddy Peralta – Do you want to try this again? Peralta wasn’t great for the Mets and turned his season around in Tampa. I don’t see this reunion happening.
- Sonny Gray – He had a phenomenal season in Boston, and will likely get some CY Young votes. But he’s pitched in New York before and wasn’t a fan of it in the Bronx, would he be interested in Queens? He might be, but I’m not.
- Clay Holmes – The Mets turned Holmes into a Starting Pitcher and it worked until he got hurt. As good as Holmes was he is not the arm the Mets should look at.
INTRIGUING OPTIONS
- Corbin Burnes/Zac Gallen – Neither guy is coming off the greatest season. In fact Gallen’s last two seasons have not been good, but he is definitely a buy low candidate. Burnes has been injured throughout his time in the Desert, so not sure if he’ll opt out of his deal, if he does he’s very familiar with David Stearns.
- Sandy Alcantara – Another option could be looking at the Mets from their own division. Alcantara is a former CY Young award winner and has fully recovered from Tommy John Surgery, and don’t forget how much Mets players raved about him a few years ago.
- Michael King – King was awesome for the Padres, especially in October. But he’s about to hit the market again, would he consider coming back to New York and pitching in a different borough.
TRADE OPTIONS – THIS IS THE RABBIT HOLE I’D LOOK AT
- Hunter Greene – Reds : Now I know Greene will miss the 2027 season due to Tommy John, but according to reports the Reds were listening to offers at the trade deadline. Trading for Greene isn’t just for 2027, Greene is signed through 2028 (with a club option) at 27 years old the former first round pick is worth the risk.
- George Kirby/Logan Gilbert – Mariners : If there was a team even more disappointing than the Mets, it was the Mariners, one game away from going to the World Series to being under .500. Kirby is 28 and Gilbert is 29. Gilbert was 12-11 with a 3.73 ERA and had 205 strikeouts in 186 innings in 32 starts. Kirby made 30 starts an was 9-11 with a 4.33 ERA and had 148 strikeouts in 174.2 innings pitched.
- Joe Ryan – Twins : Ryan’s name has been out there for a few years now and with the direction of the Twins kinda uncertain I’m going to put him here. Ryan was 7-10 with a 3.79 ERA and had 159 strikeouts in 144.2 innings pitched.
- Tyler Glasnow – Dodgers : Let me file this under unlikely to happen. Glasnow has one year plus a club option, but if the Dodgers bring back Skubal and Ohtani is pitching again, is there a spot for Glasnow? The Mets could potentially buy low on a great pitcher (with great hair).
- Spencer Strider – Braves : Let me also file this under unlikely to happen, but if the Braves are listening on Strider, Stearns should make the call. Strider’s career has been derailed by injuries and he is someone the fanbase doesn’t like but it’s an interesting option especially if he’s healthy.
Yes, Skubal is the best pitcher on the market and the Mets should attempt to pay him. But there are so many other options for Stearns and company to make this team better.
