A month after leaving the 2025 Winter Meetings without major additions amid key departures, New York Mets president David Stearns has acquired Marcus Semien and signed Devin Williams while pursuing more talent. Following a 2025 collapse from a 45-24 start to an 83-79 finish, the team aims for better cohesion entering spring training.
Since the 2025 Winter Meetings, where the Mets lost Pete Alonso (to the Orioles), Edwin Díaz (to the Dodgers), and Brandon Nimmo (traded to the Rangers), plus Jeff McNeil (to the Athletics), president of baseball operations David Stearns has accelerated the rebuild for 2026.
The moves come after a disappointing 2025: a MLB-best 45-24 start gave way to a 38-55 slump, finishing 83-79—ahead of only the Rockies, Nationals, Twins, and White Sox—and missing the playoffs. This follows Stearns' successful 2024 debut, where the Mets overcame a 22-31 start to reach Game 6 of the NLCS, fueled by Alonso's iconic ninth-inning homer in Wild Card Game 3 against the Brewers.
New additions include Devin Williams as closer, Marcus Semien at second base (acquired from Texas for Nimmo), and Jorge Polanco eyed for first base. Stearns seeks roster fit: “We need to create a roster that fits together better.”
Free agency pursuits continue with Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker (front-loaded short-term talks), Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette. Pitching targets: Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Zac Gallen, and possibly Tarik Skubal via trade. The same core faltered in 2021, 2023, and 2025—including a Soto acquisition year.
With pitchers and catchers reporting soon in Port St. Lucie, Stearns works to restore contention at Citi Field.
