The New York Mets‘ offseason has been defined by reinvention, not quiet rebuilding.
After losing beloved franchise figures in recent months and missing out on a pair of marquee free agents, the club’s front office is running through permutations to reshape a lineup that flashed both promise and instability in 2025.
One name that continues to circulate in Mets circles is Cody Bellinger, the twotime AllStar outfielder who opted out of his contract after a strong season with the New York Yankees.
The Mets‘ interest in Bellinger reflects a broader urgency to fortify a patchwork outfield, even as President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and his staff explore alternatives.
This comes against the backdrop of a flurry of moves that have reshaped the roster in short order.
The Mets recently signed Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal, an unexpected splash that addresses infield strength but does little to ease pressure on the outfield and pitching staff.
Yet even with Bichette‘s bat in the lineup, the Mets still face a glaring gap in the outfield.
Losing Brandon Nimmo in the trade that brought in Marcus Semien has left New York thin, particularly with only Tyrone Taylor and highly touted prospect Carson Benge currently projected as starters in the grass.
Mets weigh options beyond Bellinger
Despite the strong pedigree and positional versatility Bellinger offers, the Mets‘ pursuit is far from straightforward.
Multiple teams, including the Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers, have been linked to Bellinger‘s market, and his preference for a lengthy contract could complicate New York‘s plans, given reported front office reluctance to commit longterm.
With it now seeming increasingly unlikely that the Yankees will resign Bellinger, the Mets could still make a play for the two-time All-Star, even though he and his camp are reportedly seeking a seven-year contract.
That may end up being a dealbreaker for the president of baseball operations, Stearns, who has been hesitant to hand out long-term deals.
The quote above underscores the tension the Mets face: balancing the desire to land a proven star with payroll prudence.
New York‘s current opening at left field, or potentially first base if roster construction shifts, makes Bellinger‘s multiposition experience attractive, but his contract demands could force the Mets to calibrate their strategy.
Beyond Bellinger, the Mets are reportedly considering a broader sweep of outfield options should the market tilt elsewhere.
Free agents like Harrison Bader and Jake Meyers have emerged as potential fits, as have other trade or internal options to fill the void left by key departures.
The club’s outfield landscape is particularly unsettled: younger players like Nick Morabito and Jared Young are on the 40-man roster, but neither has established a foothold at the big league level yet.
Combined with the uncertainty around Bellinger‘s price tag, this has pushed New York to cast a wider net.
Bellinger‘s fit in Queens is compelling on paper: a left-handed bat with power, defensive versatility, and playoff experience.
But with rival clubs circling and financial considerations on the table, the Mets may yet find themselves exploring multiple avenues.
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