NO SPLASHES: Trying to BUILD a Competitive 2026 Mets Roster Without the Top Free Agents

Can the New York Mets contend in 2026 without a single blockbuster move?

Ryan Finkelstein lays out a bold strategy to build a competitive Mets roster by combining mid-tier additions, savvy trades, and internal development—without signing stars like Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker, or Framber Valdez.

The show spotlights targeted moves such as adding Chris Bassitt and Pierce Johnson to stabilize the pitching staff, while exploring affordable outfield platoons featuring Lars Nootbaar and Austin Hays.

Key topics include the Mets’ projected $35 million budget for puzzle-piece additions, the importance of raising the rotation and bullpen floor, and navigating potential platoon challenges in left field.

Ryan Finkelstein examines whether breakout seasons from young players like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos can offset the lack of a splashy outfield bat, and weighs the risks of relying on internal options.

Will a depth-driven approach be enough to keep the Mets in the playoff race?

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40 comments

  8. Cohen is selling the Team back to Jeff Wilpon , breaking news !!!! NYT says Cohen is very upset about the way so called fans spoke to his wife and threatened his sons family , he said he will attempt to buy SD padres once the sale goes thru cause those are real fans that support their team no matter what

  11. Good morning Ryan – now you’re talking… This is the path I think the Mets are gonna take. Unfortunately that’s gonna write off the 2026 season like I refer to in an earlier post, Stearns is trying to remake the team in his image and he’s not gonna go out and get somebody to just make the fans happy. It’s more of a long-term project. Bassitt makes the most sense with respect to how you’re describing his role and his salary fit which will probably be around 10 million or less for one season. He’ll eat innings and he has proven that he can pitch in New York

  12. thanks for your thoughts Ryan. Not sure that Bassit wants to come back to the Mets. Personally, the whole spending or not spending is getting really old. As a long time Mets fan, it would be great to see a good team on the field without all the drama! LGM

  16. Nobody wants to hear this, Ryan… every day there’s more and more smoke of Tucker in the Mets now we are getting put as the front runners for Tucker

  18. This is getting comical..,.. one day they're adding Valdez and or Peralta. The next day it's Bellinger. The day after that it's none of the above. Who really knows?? I'm actually not sure Stearns…. himself… knows what options are open in many regards. Why give yourself a headache with this roster soap opera??😂

  20. The most obvious answer is the Mets are punting. Thats why they got rid of goof players but did not bring in good players. They are betting on the farm. Its a rebuild. There is no super secret plan.

  22. Hi Ryan, you're one of the most realistic people on YouTube who talks about what the Mets are really going to do. Which does not involve spending any big money, some minor deals, and that's it, going with the rookies. This team, as it stands, is an 80-win season.

  28. Good show Ryan- IF we go cheap (which is currently the direction) … BUT still like to believe we sign Belli or Tucker then pivot to Valdez or Peralta…Let's see! Can still play Benge in OF, Maybe Clifford and Polanco at 1B depending on status of Vientos.

  29. Interesting, both Ken Rosenthal and Jim Bowden stated both the Yanks and Mets have questions about Tucker toughest in NY. By the way why are the Cubs interested in keeping him. Says a lot

  30. Other than Bellinger (and I think he will go back to the yanks), I don’t like any of the other free agents. They are not worth it. You can trade for better options without giving up the store on mid level guys.

  32. Hey Ryan. When evaluating players do you take their home ballpark into consideration? I don't know what these Cinn. bats have done on the road, but let's face it, they play their home games in a Little League ballpark, which inflates their offensive numbers.

  33. We have lots of pitching and will likely add more. I am guessing any “significant” addition(s) however would be bat related. It is what we need most at the moment – more offense.
    Also I think folks have mis-interpreted Stearns run prevention emphasis in early offseason news conferences. I think it is actually more internal. Example: prospects who can hit AND play solid D will get the first and majority of opportunities. Their emphasis on those types of players in their AA and AAA levels seem to indicate as such. And so did that trade to SF everyone was initially crying over….more COMPLETE, athletic, and versatile players who can be counted on O and D.

  37. Stearns is an overrated clown so far. Nothing but a ring will change my opinion on that. But but but Harvard! Plenty of clowns come out of Harvard.

  39. Yes Ryan, this is the way to go. IF your goal is to alienate the fan base, depress the mood of the team, and finish in 4th place. I really hope Stearns didn’t listen to your podcast today.

  40. This is really why Stearns' moves need to be highly scrutinized if the Mets UNDERPERFORM. I don't understand the strategy of putting an average at best OLDER non-1B to first For a few years less than a very solid 1B who was home grown & a prolific run producer for 10 more AAV who is extremely durable. If run prevention is the goal I don't know how to get there. Semien is a weak bat, now. To expect anything close to his formative yrs is wishful thinking. Are we really expecting someone who started in A last year to be the saving grace of LF or CF. SP might still need more depth. Ryan, kudos to you actually have a grounded approach as the names will start to fly off the board as that's exactly what I see happening. I'm not even sure the Mets pick up those fringe players as the Mets pick up the scraps Barely trying to put together a MLB team, imho.

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