While David Stearns’ former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, revels in their first-ever World Series title, the New York Mets’ president of baseball operations has to fix up his team that fell woefully short of expectations in 2026.
Among his most pressing needs, Stearns has already made it known that they will pursue a starting pitcher this offseason in hopes of finding an established top-line option to pair with the likes of Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton.
But there is not going to be much time to let the market play out. A lockout looms over Major League Baseball when its current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. After that, no trades or signings can be made.
That sets up for a wild November and a frenzied free-agency period.
Here are five options that Stearns might look at over the next month:
Tarik Skubal
The crown jewel of the market and the most obvious target for the Mets, Skubal is the two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner who kept things rolling after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-2, 2.61 ERA, 70 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched.
He is in line to make anywhere between $300 million and $400 million, meaning Stearns would have to go against his philosophy of doling out big-money, long-term deals to starting pitchers. Skubal, though, would be an understandable exception, and getting him to Queens would immediately improve the Mets’ postseason prospects.
Michael King
King has been consistent since the San Diego Padres made him a starting pitcher three years ago. The former Yankees’ reliever owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, and 436 strikeouts in 432 innings pitched since the start of the 2024 season.
He opted out of the two years and $58 million remaining on his current contract with the Padres on Thursday morning, making him a free agent. He turns 32 in May, meaning this will be one of his last chances to secure a long-term, nine-figure contract.
Clay Holmes
A reunion could be in the cards for Holmes and the Mets. The veteran right-hander was brilliant to start his second season in Queens, posting a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before breaking his leg in May. Before he could return to the mound in blue and orange, he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline.
Holmes, another former reliever who opted out of the final year of his contract on Thursday morning, is open to returning to the Mets. Even before the trade, he said he wanted to stay with the club.
Getting him back would be a monumental win for Stearns, who traded Holmes and utility outfielder Tyrone Taylor for their current No. 1 prospect, infielder Jefferson Rojas.
Tyler Mahle
There is some risk in giving a significant deal to Mahle, a 32-year-old right-hander who possessed a 4.32 career ERA between 2017 and 2024.
But the last two years have provided some glimpses of top-line stuff. In 16 starts with the Texas Rangers last season, he owned a 2.18 ERA and a 1.131 WHIP. Beginning this season with the San Francisco Giants, he struggled ot the tune of a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts, but then rediscovered his elite stuff after being traded to the Atlanta Braves. In nine starts with the Mets’ division rival, he went 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP.
Kevin Gausman
Consider this more of a depth option, but one that the Mets could certainly use. After all, the last two years showed just how thin they were when it came to starting pitching depth.
Gausman’s 2026 ERA was higher than normal at 4.51, but a 3.74 FIP, 1.27 WHIP, and a walk rate of 2.4 per nine innings suggest that there is still plenty left in the tank to contribute as a mid-rotation option. He’s 36 years old and has already had public discussions about retirement. Perhaps it’s a short-term, team-friendly option the Mets could pursue to bolster the rotation.
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