Tarik Skubal could become the Mets' ace centerpiece as they overhaul a bruised rotation after a disappointing 2025 that fell short of the playoffs, hoping backing from Soto and a young wave of arms unlocks a new level.

The centerpiece acquisition, alongside Pete Alonso's looming free agency and a promising trio of youngsters—Jonah Tong, Noah McLean and Brandon Sproat—would make New York a feared staff, with Skubal anchoring a World Series bid.

Arizona faces an offseason crossroads after Eugenio Suárez left for Seattle. The D-backs reportedly eye Alex Bregman, who could opt out of Boston, to anchor a revamped infield with third/second-base versatility and leadership. Bregman’s 2023 line (.273/.360/.462, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 114) would boost the lineup, but Boston’s lure and a massive offer will shape the bid. In-house options Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar would need flexible deployment to maximize value if Bregman signs.

Mets fans rally around a pitching upgrade to avoid a repeat playoff miss, with Dylan Cease cited as a marquee target to pair with Kodai Senga. Cease posted 4.55 ERA this year with 1.327 WHIP and 200+ Ks, after a 3.47/1.067 season, signaling upside if he rebounds. A Cease–Senga duo could anchor a deeper, more reliable rotation as New York builds depth behind them this winter.

Offseason chatter also flags Red Sox trade activity after a brutal Wild Card exit to the Yankees, and keeps Yankees and Astros in the orbit of high-profile moves. The Mets’ willingness to spend remains central to any ceiling-raising deal, underscoring a summer-to-winter plan focused on elite arms and depth for 2025.

The Mets are revamping their entire on-field leadership, giving Carlos Mendoza a rare blank slate in 2025 after shaking up the coaching ranks. A wave of departures hits the pitching and hitting staff, while Mendoza keeps a core of coaches in place to stabilize the clubhouse. The overhaul comes as the team contends with walks rising and mixed results from a star-studded rotation, signaling a deliberate shift toward revamped development and strategic flexibility.

Juan Soto’s praise of baserunning coach Antoan Richardson underscored the value of advancing on the bases in a lineup built around heavy hitters. The move to replace Hefner, despite his track record with deGrom, Diaz, and Senga, raises questions about how the Mets will recalibrate their pitching development. The coach shuffle, plus a focus on baserunning and infield defense, hints at a more balanced approach that could unlock upside from Mets arms like Manaea and Senga and from veterans who regressed this year.

The spectrum of names tied to the Mets in recent years—Verlander, Scherzer, Alonso, Lindor—illustrates both the strength and fragility of a roster built to win now. Mendoza’s task is to align the staff with a clearer vision, manage expectations around a bullpen that walked too many last season, and foster a stable environment where young players and polished veterans alike can thrive.