Looking at the list of available free agent outfielders, Mets Cody Bellinger fits perfectly with the needs of the team. Sammon reports that the Mets are still involved with Bellinger, but only because of the type of shorter-term contract (and presumably higher average annual value) Bichette received. This could be a problem, as the relationship between Bellinger and the Yankees appears to be a matter of contract length, with Bellinger wanting a longer deal than the five-year, $155 million pact the Yankees reportedly have on the table.
Bellinger’s first two free agent contracts were a one-year deal with the Cubs worth $17.5 million in guaranteed money, and then a three-year, $80 million deal with Chicago that included opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Bellinger passed up his first opt-out opportunity but still switched teams last winter when the Cubs traded him to the Yankees, then opted out last fall in the wake of a 4.9 fWAR season in which he hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs over 656 plate appearances for the Bronx Bombers.
It’s no surprise that Bellinger is looking for some stability with his next deal, and after a solid platform season, former NL MVP and agent Scott Boras has set the bar high in his quest for a seven-year contract. Whether the Yankees, Mets, or any other team will meet this demand remains to be seen, but in the case of the Mets, it would go against the team’s recent preference for signing players to shorter terms. Perhaps a very large AAV (i.e. Bichette’s deal, or the four-year, $220 million deal the Mets reportedly offered Kyle Tucker) would make Bellinger relent, but if so, he could potentially see if the Yankees would also offer a similar pact if Bellinger prefers to simply return to his former team rather than make another change of scenery.
Among other free agent outfielders, Harrison Bader is the only option that can really be a defensive asset in midfield. On the trade front, Sammon suggests the Astros Jake Meyersthe cardinals Lars Nootbaaror White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. could be possibilities for the Mets, and both Nootbaar and Robert have already been linked to New York this winter.
Bellinger could also score at first base if he isn’t in the outfield. Of Francisco Lindor returning at shortstop, the Mets’ revamped infield will also consist of Marcus Semien at second base, Bichette at third base for the first time in his pro career, and Jorge Polanco at first base for the first time in his pro career (other than a late-game cameo with Seattle last season). The designated hitter spot is open, so all of these veterans can get the occasional DH day for partial rest and to give the Mets’ backups some playing time.
Sammon writes that New York’s views are Brett Batty as a candidate to bounce around the diamond as a backup at second and third base, left field and a first base if necessary. Mark Wind, Luisangel AcunaAnd Ronny Mauricio are also available as further depth in the field. Either of the depth options could be addressed, of course, if the Mets see trades instead of bigger free agent signings as a better way to meet their needs.
On the pitching front, Sammon cites the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore and the royal family Kris Bubic as two starters who could be “trade options” for the Amazins, “though both are considered longshots.” Within a Mets rotation full of health question marks and inexperienced arms, Bubic or especially Gore could be a stabilizing force.
Gore has been more good than great over the past three seasons with Washington and may have even more upside, while the 2025 season was the first time Bubic really looked like a front-line arm. Bubic posted a 2.55 ERA, 24.4% strikeout rate, 8.2% walk rate and 47.2% ground-ball rate over 116 1/3 innings last year before a rotator cuff injury cost him the final two months of the season. Gore will be subject to arbitration for the next two seasons, while Bubic will be a free agent next winter.
Nats president of baseball operations Paul Toboni is known to ask for a ton in exchange for Gore, and the Mets might have to pay some premium for being one of the Nationals’ NL East rivals. Bubic’s impending free agency may have made him the most logical trade candidate from the Royals’ pool of starters, but the outfield-needy Mets aren’t a great fit for a KC team that also needs outfield help. One of New York’s infielders could theoretically suit up for the Royals at second base, but the Royals appear to be giving up Jonathan India a chance for a recovery year.
The door isn’t necessarily closed on the Mets signing a high-profile free agent starter, though one would expect the team would again favor such a pitcher on a shorter-term contract. For pitchers like Framber Valdez (which is linked to the Mets) or Zac Gallen who rejected a qualifying offer, the Mets would have to forfeit two 2026 draft picks and an additional $1 million in international draft pool money to sign either player. New York has already given up that premium to sign another qualified free agent in Bichette, and Sammon says the Mets wouldn’t be entirely opposed to giving up more QO-related penalties for Valdez or Gallen again if the money was right.
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