New York Mets lock in Kai Correa as bench coach for 2026 and promote Jeff Albert to director of Major League hitting, signaling a rapid, data-driven rebuild under David Stearns. Correa brings elite defensive analytics and infield teaching; Albert translates minor league scouting into big-league hitting prep. The hires came with zero leaks, underscoring Stearns’s preference for stealth and speed. Gold Glove finalists Torrens and Peterson highlight Mets defensive emphasis, while Soto and Lindor show mixed defensive marks. Rookie Tong and catcher Alvarez add intriguing winter notes as the organization presses ahead.

Max Fried headlines the AL Gold Glove finalists after leading MLB pitchers with 10 defensive runs saved and 39 assists in his first season with the Yankees, edging Jacob deGrom and Luis Severino for the trio. In the NL, Ryan McMahon anchors the infield after joining the Yankees midseason, with Ke’Bryan Hayes and Matt Shaw also in the mix at third. Catcher Luis Torrens heads the Mets’ catching group alongside Patrick Bailey and Carson Kelly, while David Peterson joins Torrens as a Mets finalist on the mound with Logan Webb and Matthew Boyd. The Yankees last Gold Glove winner was Volpe in 2023, and the Mets’ last was Lagares in 2014.

The Mets are leaning into a young pitching core, with Jonah Tong set for another start after a rough major-league debut. Management stresses resilience and a fast bounce-back, framing Tong, Nolan McLean, and Brandon Sproat as rotating pieces in a piggyback approach alongside Sean Manaea, who must elevate his fastball and overall mix to keep the rotation intact as the team eyes a potential playoff run. Kodai Senga is heading to Triple-A Syracuse for another tune-up before reassessment. Meanwhile, Luis Torrens could return soon, Tyrone Taylor nears rehab after a family birth, and Francisco Lindor’s family and Roberto Clemente ties provide a hopeful backdrop for a competitive, culturally united Mets squad.

Stearns publicly endorses Mendoza, signaling stability at the managerial level as the club plots its path through a demanding schedule against the San Diego Padres. The cross-town spotlight on Lindor’s family, plus Diaz’s Puerto Rico ties, adds a layer of leadership and belonging that the club is trying to translate into on-field success. In Toronto terms, the Mets are balancing immediate needs with long-term development while keeping playoff chances alive.

The underlying narrative is about turning early-season adversity into a design for sustained competitiveness: rebuilds in the rotation, leveraged bullpen considerations, and a clear plan to maximize innings from veterans like Manaea while giving prospects time to mature. Expect continued experimentation and strategic restarts as the Mets chase meaningful late-season opportunities.

Week 24 of 2025 delivers a tight waiver-wire sprint for fantasy MLB managers. Sal Frelick anchors runs with steady multi-category production (10 HR, 19 SB, .294) and strong counting stats, while Daylen Lile and Brandon Marsh offer risers with speed and timely power. Colson Montgomery and Jake Burger headline the HR column, with Austin Hays providing late-season pop. Otto Lopez, Andrew Benintendi, and Luis Torrens are top RBI tools, and Luis Garcia Jr., Caleb Durbin, and Victor Robles supply stolen-base upside. For AVG, Romy Gonzalez, Drew Gilbert, and Chase Meidroth provide varied contact and versatility. Rosters capped at 50%, so these targets can reshape your push for a title in a hurry.

Across the five categories, the piece highlights rostering practicality: Frelick’s blend of speed and runs, Montgomery’s power with a light average, and Burger’s remaining 30-homer ceiling when healthy. Hays stands out as a veteran with seasonal power, while Lopez and Torrens bring hot-streak RBI potential. The trio of AVG pickups—Gonzalez, Gilbert, and Meidroth—adds batting-average depth with September surges. Use these boosters to craft a week-by-week plan and chase a late-season edge.