Following a disappointing 2025 season, David Stearns has committed to making some major changes to the team. In just a few weeks, the lineup in Port St. Lucie will look quite different from last year.
As Stearns mentioned recently, “We’ll have many new faces in our clubhouse who aren’t associated with what happened in ’25. I believe that’s beneficial for us.”
Now, let’s take a look at who’s joining and who’s leaving.
In
Beau Bichette
After losing Pete Alonso, the Mets sought another powerful right-handed hitter and acquired Bichette. He’s widely regarded as one of the top hitters in the league, not to mention a great clubhouse influence. There’s this question though: Can the established shortstop handle playing third base? Well, he just turned 28 in March and, despite some prior injuries, he seems pretty capable.
Freddy Peralta
Peralta was traded from Stearns’ previous team, the Brewers, along with right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers. At 29, he’s expected to pitch at or near the front of the rotation. With free agency looming after the season, there’s added pressure on Peralta and the Mets, especially after giving up two promising prospects, Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.
Louis Robert Jr.
The Mets are hoping the center fielder can regain the form he showed in 2023 when he was a standout for the White Sox. Yet, he has struggled with injuries and has struck out quite a bit over the last two seasons.
Jorge Polanco
This acquisition initially puzzled many, considering Polanco’s usual position is in the middle of the diamond, where the Mets already have Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien. Still, the Mets believe that the 32-year-old switch hitter, who may have just had his best season, can adapt to first base.
Devin Williams
When the Mets signed Williams, Edwin Diaz was still a possibility for them. With Diaz now headed to the Dodgers, Williams has a chance to redeem himself as a closer after struggling to find his role with the Yankees last season.
Marcus Semien
Semien’s addition at second base has significantly bolstered the Mets’ infield defense, one of Stearns’ priorities. However, there are lingering concerns about his overall performance, as he has had two consecutive years of below-average offensive stats at age 35.
Luke Weaver
The right-hander has shown he can perform well in high-pressure situations, like during the Yankees’ 2024 World Series run. At 32, he was inconsistent but still managed to be effective last season.
Tobias Myers
Alongside Peralta’s trade, Myers can also start games or come in from the bullpen. Impressively, he pitched five scoreless innings against the Mets in the 2024 postseason opener.
Luis Garcia
The 38-year-old veteran offers the Mets another reliable option in the bullpen.
Coaching Staff
Justin Willard, who previously managed pitching for the Red Sox, has come onboard as the new pitching coach. Troy Snitker, former hitting coach for Houston and son of Braves manager Brian Snitker, is now the hitting coach. Other new faces on the coaching staff include Kai Correa (bench coach), Gilbert Gomez (first base coach), Tim Leiper (third base coach), and JP Arencibia (catcher).
Out
Pete Alonso
Just months after setting the franchise home run record, Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore. He’ll be pushing for home run success at Camden Yards, especially since the Mets didn’t put up much of a fight to keep him.
Edwin Diaz
With Diaz nearing elite form, the Mets attempted to retain him, but he opted for a more lucrative deal with the Dodgers, leaving a gap in their bullpen.
Brandon Nimmo
The Mets’ 2011 first-round pick ranks in the top ten for franchise records across various categories. Nevertheless, they traded the 32-year-old to Texas, with five years and over $100 million still remaining on his contract.
Jeff McNeil
Like Nimmo, McNeil spent his whole career with the Mets until he was traded to the Athletics, as his batting and defensive versatility had been declining.
Luis Angel Acuña
The former top prospect likely wouldn’t have had a significant role on a crowded infield and was dealt to Chicago in exchange for Robert.
Coaching Staff Changes
A notable shakeup in Carlos Mendoza’s coaching staff was the dismissal of highly respected pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who quickly found a new role with the Braves. Also let go were hitting coach Eric Chavez and Jeremy Burns, alongside bench coach John Gibbons and third base coach Mike Sarbaugh.
