The Mets’ 2025 season closed in the familiar, painful fashion: offense vanishes when it matters most, and a bullpen that misfired under pressure. A 4-0 loss in game 162 underscored three recurring themes: a revolving bullpen and head-scratching pitching decisions, clutch moments going unfilled by the middle of the order, and a manager whose calls drew the most scrutiny. Alonso’s blast was swallowed by bad luck; Diaz delivered when asked, but the critical gaps elsewhere proved decisive. Cincinnati’s playoff push sealed the moment, and the offseason arrives with questions about how to rebuild around Diaz and Alonso while recapturing 2024 magic.

Across three Miami games, the Mets offered glimpses of elite talent (Alonso, Lindor, Soto) while repeatedly failing to manufacture runs or protect leads. The broadcast spent as much time dissecting Mendoza’s bullpen management as it did lauding Diaz’s reliability, and the collective result was a season-ending reminder: depth, timing, and culture must be recalibrated. The narrative now shifts to what combination of roster moves and internal changes can return the Mets to contention in 2026.

Edward Cabrera’s breakout performance over his last handful of starts has flipped the script on his fantasy fantasy value. Miami’s righty has delivered a late-season surge: 2.06 ERA, 0.78 WHIP across seven starts, and a crisp 9.3 strikeouts per nine with a deceptive fade on both the four-seamer and two-seamer. He’s now a near-automatic add in most formats, with the ceiling to push him into league-winner territory if the heater stays dominant. Brandon Woodruff also looks like a legitimate post-ARC comeback candidate, posting a string of quality starts and high strikeout totals after shoulder concerns, reinforcing that both innings and upside can be real again.

Beyond the obvious arms, several under-the-radar bats jumped into the mix for the weekend. Luke Kishel and Jacob Marcy built hot streaks, while Xavier Edwards produced a rare blend of on-base skills and speed, delivering multiple steals as a standout hot hand in deeper formats. Isaac Collins’ second-half surge added to the growing belief that, in the right matchup, you can ride these inexpensive, high-contact options. Brenton Doyle, Kyle Manzardo, and Matt Shaw joined the roster-shuffling chorus, offering varied paths to value in shallower and deeper leagues alike.

On the pitching side, a handful of waiver candidates flashed enough upside to warrant roster attention: Chase Burns, Mackenzie Gore, and Zebby Matthews each showed two-start upside, with Burns’ 10 strikeouts in a six-inning step-forward and Gore’s late-career resurgence hinting at upside if they stay healthy. The hitting landscape remained elevated thanks to the usual suspects turning it on in the second half—Altuve, Bogaerts, Ohtani, Soto, Lindor, and Rodriguez supplied multi-homer weekends and stolen-base bursts that can swing categories in games or weeks. The overall thread: the waiver wire still has life, and a patient, roster-tight approach can reap solid returns in the weeks ahead.

Edward Cabrera continues to impress with his recent performance, including a stellar 2.05 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over his last ten starts. His transformation after adjusting his arm slot has resulted in a greater command of his pitches, especially when utilizing his sinker more effectively. The Marlins pitcher is gaining traction in fantasy leagues, with only 52% rostered but showing potential to be a reliable option in most formats.

Zack Gallen had a noteworthy outing last week, striking out ten over seven innings against the Giants. Despite control issues in prior appearances, he is showing flashes of brilliance, making him a player to monitor closely. Meanwhile, George Springer has rebounded from a tough stretch, showcasing power with a grand slam and consistent contact, reminding fans of his capabilities.