Quick Read
- Mets are considering major trades, including Pete Alonso, Kodai Senga, and Brandon Nimmo.
- Blue Jays are favorites to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker; alternatives include Cody Bellinger and Kyle Schwarber.
- Edwin Díaz could return to the Mets, but his future is uncertain; Devin Williams draws interest from 12 teams.
- Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is being pursued by several MLB teams, including both New York clubs.
- Hall of Fame ballot features big names like Beltrán, Jones, Pettitte, and Ramirez in their final years of eligibility.
Mets Shake Up: Star Power and Big Decisions in Queens
After a 2024 season that started with World Series hopes but ended with disappointment, the New York Mets find themselves at a crossroads. Having added Juan Soto in a headline-stealing move last year, the team appeared primed for October glory. Instead, a late-season collapse has forced the front office to reconsider its roster and ambitions. According to MLB.com and reporting by Jeff Passan, the Mets are not just mulling changes—they’re actively shopping some of their biggest names.
First baseman Pete Alonso, long a fan favorite, is a free agent and could be headed elsewhere if the right offer comes along. But Alonso is far from the only possible departure. Starter Kodai Senga, under contract for two more years, is reportedly “extremely available.” Executives around the league expect him to be moved. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, signed through 2030 with a full no-trade clause, is now “available” as well—a surprising development for a player once seen as a cornerstone. Utility man Jeff McNeil also enters the conversation as he heads into the final year of his deal.
One of the most intriguing possibilities for the Mets is a bullpen built around two elite closers: Edwin Díaz and Devin Williams. Díaz, who opted out to become a free agent, described his chances of returning as “50-50,” while the Mets are reportedly weighing a bold pairing with Williams. With roughly a dozen teams interested in Williams, competition is fierce. For the Mets, these choices reflect a willingness to embrace change, even if it means saying goodbye to familiar faces.
Blue Jays: From Pennant to Power Bat Hunt
Fresh off a near-miss in the 2025 World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t content to stand pat. Their ambitions are clear: bring in a left-handed hitter to complement Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and keep their championship window wide open. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Jays have emerged as favorites to sign Kyle Tucker, the top free agent outfielder this offseason. If Tucker slips away, alternatives like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Schwarber are in play, with Toronto viewing Bellinger as a viable backup option.
But the Blue Jays’ plans go deeper. They remain open to a reunion with Bo Bichette at shortstop and are “playing in the top-of-the-market sandbox” for starting pitching. Their recent track record—missing out on Shohei Ohtani in 2023 and Juan Soto in 2024—suggests nothing is guaranteed. Still, with an AL pennant and Guerrero locked up long-term, Toronto suddenly looks like one of the league’s most attractive destinations for elite talent.
Free Agency and Trade Market: New Stars, New Destinations
It’s not just the Mets and Blue Jays making waves. Around the league, teams are plotting aggressive moves as the offseason heats up. The Dodgers, fresh off consecutive World Series titles, are reportedly interested in bringing back Cody Bellinger to bolster their outfield. The Pirates, typically conservative spenders, are monitoring the first-base and reliever markets and could make a splash after offering their largest-ever contract to Francisco Liriano back in 2015.
International talent is also in play. Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai has officially been posted by the Saltana Seibu Lions, with a 45-day window open for MLB teams to negotiate. His dominant numbers—a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts last season—have already attracted interest from both New York clubs (Yankees and Mets), as well as the Phillies, Blue Jays, and Padres. Imai’s profile, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, mirrors that of Mets starter Kodai Senga, making him one of the most sought-after arms this winter.
Meanwhile, the Phillies face an outfield overhaul, with only three rostered outfielders and a need to replace Nick Castellanos, who is expected to depart. Harrison Bader could return, but the club’s focus remains on retaining Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto. The Marlins’ pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera are “very popular” in trade talks, with at least one deal expected soon. Boston, too, is in the mix, seen as a strong contender for Pete Alonso if Alex Bregman signs elsewhere.
Position Players and Trade Targets: Who’s Next?
The market for position players is bustling. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is drawing interest, though team president Mike Elias insists he’s not for sale. Boston’s Jarren Duran, Guardians’ Steven Kwan, and several Cardinals (Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan) are all being discussed in trade talks. Duran could be moved for the right infielder or starting pitcher, while Kwan—under team control through 2027—offers Gold Glove defense and on-base skills. Cardinals’ flexibility, with several players holding no-trade clauses, means negotiations could be complex.
On the pitching side, aces like Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, Tarik Skubal, and Royals left-hander Kris Bubic are rumored to be available. Bubic, coming off an All-Star season and a successful recovery from Tommy John surgery, has drawn interest as a cost-effective option with upside. The Royals, however, will need to balance the benefits of trading from a position of strength against their recent postseason setback.
Hall of Fame Ballot and Legacy Questions
As trade rumors swirl, the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot adds another layer to the offseason’s intrigue. Notable storylines include Carlos Beltrán, who appears destined for induction after years of rising support, and Andruw Jones, whose steady climb may soon yield a Cooperstown call. Andy Pettitte’s candidacy is gaining momentum, while first-time ballot members like Félix Hernández, Ryan Braun, and Alex Gordon bring unique legacies—some complicated by performance-enhancing drug suspensions, others defined by defensive brilliance or international impact.
For veterans like Manny Ramirez, whose Hall of Fame case is clouded by multiple PED violations, this is the final year on the ballot. Others, including Shin-Soo Choo and Edwin Encarnación, add depth and diversity to a class that reflects both the evolving nature of the sport and its enduring traditions.
This offseason showcases the unpredictable nature of Major League Baseball’s trade and free agent landscape. Teams like the Mets and Blue Jays are balancing bold ambitions with hard decisions, reshaping their rosters in pursuit of October glory. As executives chase stars and negotiate blockbuster deals, the only certainty is change—a reminder that in MLB, every winter brings new hope and fresh drama.