Sometimes the best way to spread Christmas cheer is uniting in our disliking of an Atlanta Braves rival. NL East foe, the Mets are always a fun target to pick at, and given how their offseason has gone laughing at New York’s misery has not been too much of a challenge. While Braves fans have thoroughly enjoyed the moves Alex Anthopoulos has made this winter, Mets fans have been audibly displeased with how their winter has gone.
Losing a couple of your top stars will do that to any fanbase, but the Mets have a longer list of questionable moves this offseason. Each transaction affects the NL East race in varying levels, so let’s go through each puzzling Mets move and see why their fans sound like the grinch during the holidays.
Every “questionable” Mets decision that should give Braves fans confidence heading into 2026
The most notable moves were actually just free agency losses from last year’s team. Pete Alonso was a menace in the middle of their order since he debuted back in 2019, and New York has yet to sign a suitable replacement for him. Edwin Diaz was New York’s lockdown closer since 2019, and they let the Dodgers pry him away. Diaz’s replacement is expected to be Devin Williams, who signed with the Mets in the beginning of December.
Williams is great when he is on, but last season he posted a 4.79 ERA for the Mets cross-town rival in the Bronx. While Williams’ expected numbers were much better, there is justified worry about his ability to close for a big market team.
Next, we have to talk about the very odd one-for-one MLB player swap with the Rangers. The Mets sent outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Texas in exchange for Marcus Semien, an older player coming off a worse season when measured by Fangraphs WAR. After Nimmo’s departure New York’s outfield looks pretty bleak beside Juan Soto. If the club is now freed up to sign Kyle Tucker this trade was a success, but if New York strikes out on adding an outfielder things could get rough in 2026.
Finally, we arrive at their most recent trade where they sent Jeff McNeil to the A’s for next to nothing. McNeil was the NL Batting champ back in 2022, and waiting until this offseason to trade him is the definition of selling low. McNeil, Diaz, Nimmo, and Alonso have been core pieces for the Mets for a long time, so 2026 will offer a very different looking Mets squad.
What lies next for New York is very interesting. Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger is the hope for many in Queens, but the Mets have to address their rotation as well. Names like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez remain on the market, but there is always plenty of free agency competition for top-end starting pitching. As things stand, the Mets have went backwards this winter.
For a team coming off a missed postseason appearance that is not what the fanbase was hoping for. The Braves have gone in an opposite, and more enjoyable direction thanks to their winter acquisitions. Here’s to hoping the Braves continue to add, and the Mets enter 2026 with the same question marks they have right now.