After aggressively courting Kyle Tucker in free agency, the New York Mets fell short as Tucker chose to head to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tucker was considered the best free agent on the market and offered the Mets a chance to turn their offseason around after losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. Instead, New York has to find a way to fill a massive hole in the outfield before the season begins in a few months.
Here’s a look at how Tucker’s decision affects the Mets moving forward.
MORE: Kyle Tucker signs massive deal with Dodgers
Why did the Mets miss on Kyle Tucker?
The Mets’ offer for Kyle Tucker was similar to the Dodgers’, so it’s hard to say exactly why Tucker chose Los Angeles. New York offered four years, $220 million with no deferred money, while the Dodgers landed Tucker for four years, $240 million with $30 million deferred.
Tucker presumably chose the Dodgers simply because they are the best team in the league, while the Mets are turning over their roster after a disappointing 2025 season.
Mets remaining free agent targets
Cody Bellinger
The most logical pivot point for the Mets after missing out on Tucker is outfielder Cody Bellinger, who has been the second-best outfielder on the market this offseason. The New York Yankees have been Bellinger’s most aggressive suitor thus far, but an impasse in negotiations has created a potential opening.
The issue for the Mets with Bellinger is the outfielder’s desire for a long-term deal. The Mets have avoided offering more than three or four years to big free agents, but Bellinger reportedly wants a seven-year deal, while the Yankees’ offer is for five years.
Bo Bichette
Bichette is the other big free agent hitter still on the market, as his suitors include the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. Bichette is likely to move off of shortstop with his next team, and the Mets could make room by putting him at third base.
Of course, the Mets have a much bigger need in the outfield than they do in the infield, which makes Bichette a clunkier fit. New York could try Bichette in the outfield, but there is no reason to believe he can stick out there.
Framber Valdez
While the Mets need outfield help, they also still need to add to their pitching staff. Former Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez is the best pitcher remaining in free agency, and he has been linked to the Mets over the course of the offseason.
Valdez would instantly become the best pitcher in the Mets rotation and give them some stability on that front. In eight seasons, Valdez has only produced an ERA worse than 3.66 once, and has not done so since the 2019 campaign.
MORE: How Kyle Tucker fits into the Dodgers lineup
Possible Mets trade targets
Tarik Skubal
If the Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal, no team is better suited to make a deal than the Mets. New York’s farm system is strong and full of enticing prospects that could convince the Tigers to trade Skubal rather than let him walk in free agency.
When Skubal becomes a free agent, the Mets will surely be among his top suitors, so New York could simply remain patient and wait until free agency to sign the star pitcher.
Freddy Peralta
Another pitcher on a one-year deal, Peralta's trade market appears more active than Skubal's, in part because he is not making much this year. David Stearns is familiar with Peralta from his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Mets can offer the Brewers' MLB-ready pitching in return.
Like with Skubal, the Mets could simply wait until free agency to try and sign Peralta instead of getting rid of valuable prospects.
Luis Robert Jr.
The trade market for outfielders is slim, making Robert the best option of the bunch. The Chicago White Sox may be ok just keeping Robert this year, since his value isn't that high, but the Mets are a logical trade partner as Robert is set to make $20 million this season.
While Robert has underwhelmed offensively, he is a strong defender and hit lefty pitching quite well, and would instantly become the Mets' second-best outfielder.
Mets projected lineup
- SS Franciso Lindor
- RF Juan Soto
- 1B Jorge Polanco
- DH Mark Vientos
- 3B Brett Baty
- C Francisco Alvarez
- 2B Marcus Semien
- CF Tyrone Taylor
- LF Jared Young
The Mets lineup sorely needs outfield help, as Young is not a starting caliber outfielder. Besides that, though, the Mets could feel solidly about their infield, which has a nice mix of veterans and youth
Mets payroll 2026
The Mets payroll is projected to be at $317 million for the 2026 season, which is second-highest in the league to the Dodgers. Juan Soto is of course the highest-paid player on the team at $51 million, while Francisco Lindor is second at $34 million in 2026.