MLB Rumors Detail Mets' Approach to Free Agency, Trades Amid Starting Pitching Pursuit

The New York Mets have already made a slew of changes this winter, and it sounds like they're not done adding to their roster.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported that the Mets are looking to bolster their starting pitching rotation and "hold some interest in the top remaining free-agent starters" like Framber Valdez. However, league sources said New York's "focus is on first exploring trades."

It was noted that no trades are imminent for the Mets as of yet, but Rosenthal and Sammon detailed their pursuits.

"The Mets are interested in both rentals and pitchers with club control," Rosenthal and Sammon stated. "Thus, Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers), Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee Brewers), MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals), Edward Cabrera (Miami Marlins), Kris Bubic (Kansas City Royals) and Brady Singer (Cincinnati Reds) are all among the conceivable options."

MLB.com ranked the Mets as the No. 7 farm system in the majors, and infielders Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña were named as players they would be open to including in trades.

The Mets made moves to improve their batting lineup and their crop of relief pitchers, so improving their starting pitching is the last piece of the puzzle as they try to build a roster worthy of World Series contention in 2026.