How do NY Mets proceed in the wake of losing Pete Alonso to Orioles?
David Stearns has a huge task ahead after the Mets’ core has been disbanded following the departures of Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo.
Before Edwin Diaz had ventured west to Los Angeles and Pete Alonso left New York for the first time to head south to Baltimore, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns already had a big offseason in front of him.
The floor for this season’s team took a hit at the Winter Meetings and now Stearns has the task of building it back up.
Beyond free agency, Stearns said there is an openness for trades across Major League Baseball, particularly in situations where both teams are filling a need. With the need to add another high-level starting pitcher, a trade could be a great option.
The Mets front office dipped into some of the organization’s prospect reserve last trade deadline when they brought in Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Cedric Mullins. But the Mets remain in a better spot than they have has in recent years in its big-league potential in the minor league ranks.
“We’ve had a very successful player development growth, and we’ve had a number of players internally throughout our minor league system get better, and I think that’s been recognized throughout the industry,” Stearns said. “And so when that happens, you receive a lot of incoming calls about young players, about prospects, so perhaps there are a few more opportunities like that to make deals.”
To get one of the bigger-name trade pieces, like Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta or MacKenzie Gore, the price could be steep, but the Mets could put those chips on the table. Here are how the Mets’ trade assets stand heading into the rest of the winter:
Untouchable
The Mets would be very unlikely to move one of these top prospects.
Nolan McLean
After eight major-league starts, the 25-year-old showcased why he won’t only be a key contributor in the Mets’ rotation but potentially settle into a leading role. He was 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in right starts and 48 innings.
McLean has a quiet confidence and moxy that underscores his early success. He already spins the baseball among the best in the league, with a deep, balanced arsenal that serves him well.
Carson Benge
There is a belief that the 22-year-old Benge, who was the club’s first-round pick in 2024, could compete for a starting outfield spot in spring training after he made one of the biggest rises in the organization last season.
The lefty bat, who could play all three outfield spots, rose from High-A to Triple-A by the end of last season. He posted a .857 OPS with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and 87 runs across all three levels. His bat-to-ball skills, athleticism and arm make him one of the franchise’s most exciting young talents.
Top prospect targets
These players could be the jewel in a trade, but it would take a serious difference-maker for them to depart.
Jonah Tong
After tormenting Double-A hitters with 162 strikeouts in 102 innings, the 22-year-old Tong made the massive leap to MLB after only two Triple-A starts out of necessity for the Mets. He struggled in his first crack, allowing 16 earned runs in 18⅔ innings but is was still a lot to like moving forward.
Tong’s fastball is one of the more unique heaters with his over-the-top delivery and he can be tough to square up with his Vulcan changeup. His slider and curveball still need polish to give his repertoire more depth.
Jett Williams
The Mets’ infield is getting crowded with the recent addition of Marcus Semien and long-term commitment to Francisco Lindor, closing off potential room for Williams to break through at the MLB level. But there is a belief that with his speed, Williams could play in the outfield; he made 27 appearances in center field last season.
Wrist surgery in 2024 seems long in the rearview mirror as the 22-year-old burner tore through Double-A last season, with a .867 OPS including 10 home runs, 37 RBI, 70 runs and 32 stolen bases before belting seven home runs with 15 RBI and 21 runs in 34 Triple-A games.
Brandon Sproat
The Mets’ two-time draft pick made his major-league debut as the last of the Mets’ exciting young call-ups late in 2025. The 25-year-old right-hander is still seeking his first victory despite some strong results including a pair of quality starts in two of his four outings. He was 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 20⅔ innings with 17 strikeouts.
Sproat dials up his sinker and four-seam fastball into the upper-90s while seeing initial success at the highest level with his sweeper and changeup. He would be a controllable young arm that teams would love to add to their rotation.
Professional upside plays
Once viewed as cornerstone pieces of the Mets, these veteran players provide a great degree of potential and could entice a trading partner in a need-for-need deal.
Mark Vientos
Carlos Mendoza wants Mark Vientos to prepare for every scenario with the Mets roster, and Stearns asserted that there will be opportunities for the 25-year-old infielder, but those chances are closing down.
Brett Baty has earned the regular crack at third base and the arrival of Jorge Polanco clouds the first base and DH pictures. Vientos’ ceiling — his 27-home run, 71-RBI season in 2024 serving as evidence — could be appealing for another team without those road blocks in their lineup.
Kodai Senga
During the Winter Meetings, Stearns said that Senga’s offseason has been arguably the “encouraging development” for the club. Senga, who struggled after a mid-season hamstring strain, is healthy and due to come back to New York to throw in late December.
Since finishing as the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 2023, Senga has had a pair of rocky, injury-riddled campaigns. He finished with a 3.02 ERA in 2025 but closed with a 5.90 ERA after returning from injury. His 202-strikeout upside could be worth targeting.
David Peterson
The Mets have a number of mid-rotation players but not many who could lead their rotation. For a large swath of last season, Peterson proved to be that guy. The six-year veteran left-hander earned his first All-Star selection with a 6-4 record and 3.04 ERA in the first half.
Peterson sputtered down the stretch, though, and could not maintain that success. He finished with a 4.22 ERA with career highs in innings (166⅔) and strikeouts (150). He’s proven he’s a valuable starter who has one year left before free agency and could help fill a need elsewhere.
Filler for fodder
These players could be complementary pieces in a high-profile trade. Tough to deal, but sweeten the pot for an opposing team.
Ryan Clifford
The 22-year-old first baseman, who was acquired along with Drew Gilbert in the Mets’ 2023 deadline deal with the Astros, continues to methodically work his way up through the organization.
Last season, he reached Triple-A after hammering 24 home runs and driving in 75 runs for Double-A Binghamton. That left-handed power is his top asset but he brings a high strikeout rate.
Will Watson
The 23-year-old Watson was another quick riser last season after being drafted in the seventh round out of USC one year prior.
The right-hander reached as high as Double-A last season, where he made four appearances. In 18 appearances including 16 starts in High-A Brooklyn, Watson was 1-3 with a 1.70 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 77 strikeouts in 63⅔ innings.