The New York Mets have had an active offseason but still need to address the issues with their starting rotation.

Despite boasting one of the highest payrolls in baseball, the Mets still missed the playoffs this season with an 83-79 record. New York has since lost multiple star players in free agency, including Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, and after trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers and Jeff McNeil to the Athletics, it is overhauling the roster.

The Mets have made some additions this offseason, signing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to bolster their bullpen, but the rotation needs improvement. Though New York has been connected to some of the top free agents available, it seems unlikely that the team will choose to shell out a massive contract to bring in a star hurler like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez.

Where does that leave the Mets in their pursuit to improve this offseason? The trade market. There are plenty of quality starting pitchers that New York could target in a potential trade, and it would allow the team to bring in a star pitcher without having to spend a lot of money.

Prediction: Mets acquire Twins ace Joe Ryan instead of signing a top free agent pitcher

The Minnesota Twins made multiple trades at the trade deadline this season, effectively going into a rebuild, but could not get a deal done for Joe Ryan despite interest in the 29-year-old All-Star. It’s far from guaranteed, but trading for Ryan would give the Mets a top-of-the-rotation starter who is under contract for the next two seasons.

New York could send Minnesota a package centered around top pitching prospect Jonah Tong in a trade for the 29-year-old star hurler. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported in December that the Mets had shown interest in Ryan, and although they may not want to give up a lot in a trade, they need to improve after their disastrous finish to this season.

Ryan was named an All-Star for the first time this season after posting a 3.42 ERA while striking out 194 batters across 31 appearances. Bringing in the star pitcher would be a great move to improve New York’s starting rotation.

More MLB: Mets Could Be Out On 32-Year-Old All-Star Free Agent, Per Insider