The Mets have multiple paths they can follow this offseason and likely have dozens of different branching offseason plans for what the roster can look like by Opening Day. Here are three paths they can follow and how the rosters could look.

In this article, contract terms will not be projected, but it will be mentioned which players will cost the Mets the qualifying offer penalties.

Go All-In

Say David Stearns and Steve Cohen throw caution to the wind and decide to do everything that is necessary to win in 2027, not worrying about draft impacts from signing qualifying offer players or worrying about giving out too much term. Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco would be either moved or cut in this scenario. Going all in, the roster could look like this.

Lineup

Bench

Rotation

Bullpen

This is a risky scenario that would require emptying out the farm system, and if the Mets do not win the World Series within a few seasons, things could fall off quickly. This is the least realistic scenario and would likely bring the payroll over $500 million a year, but is a fun experiment to see how crazy things could get.

Rely Heavily on Internal Options

Now, let’s go in the complete opposite direction.

The Mets made many trades at the last deadline to acquire players close to the majors. They had breakout years from prospects in the farm like Jefferson Rojas and Mitch Voit as well as young players in the majors including Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, A.J. Ewing, and Zac Thornton. This would not be a punt necessarily, as the Mets have strong options, but it would very much be largely building to the future. The Mets would still aim to compete in this scenario, but it would bring them under the upper levels of the luxury tax while really focusing on building a homegrown core.

Lineup

Bench

Rotation

Bullpen

It is not impossible the Mets could have everything break perfectly in this scenario and make the playoffs, but it would be an uphill battle that would require many young player breakouts. It would stretch the depth thin, as much of that depth would be on the Opening Day roster, and players like Mitch Voit, Émilien Pitre, Jonathan Santucci, Jacob Reimer, and Jack Wenninger would need to be ready to take up significant playing time as players either get injured or struggle.

Follow the 2024 Blueprint

The final option here is to run the offseason similarly to how they did in 2024. Still go after the big fish (Skubal) but have backups if they miss out on him based around short-term deals on players the team expects to have bounce-back seasons. None of the top free agents would end up signed in this scenario and no one with a qualifying offer would be signed either.

Lineup

Bench

Rotation

Bullpen

This is a team build to compete for a Wild Card spot with the potential to add at the deadline and make a run. This plan leaves room for young players to come up while also trying to be competitive in 2027.

Author’s Pick

What could a mix of win now and building for the future look like while also shooting for at least some level of realism? What are some fun trade targets that could be win-win moves? Maybe moving Kodai Senga for Teoscar Hernandez? Sean Manaea and cash for Spencer Torkelson? Eat however much money has to be eaten to move Semien. If he cannot be traded, eat the full contract.

The main idea in this scenario is that the team should have ten to eleven regulars in which most players are playing only 145 games. Soto plays as much as he can. Lindor, at his age and with his injury history, should get some rest but would likely play at least 150 games. Bichette played 160 games in 2026 and would likely look to do the same in 2027.

Outside of them, everyone should get regular rest and days off their feet to keep them fresh. With that it is important to have a deep bench. Polanco would have to earn his playing time and may not even be ready for the start of the season.

Lineup

  • C – Francisco Alvarez
  • 1B – Jared Young/Spencer Torkelson (Trade)
  • 2B – Jefferson Rojas (Minors)
  • SS – Francisco Lindor
  • 3B – Bo Bichette
  • LF – Juan Soto
  • CF – A.J. Ewing
  • RF – Carson Benge
  • DH – Teoscar Hernandez (Trade)

Bench

Rotation

Bullpen

Players will get hurt and having a strong bench as well as high minors prospects means you have depth for when that happens. Starting with five strong starters means pitchers like Zac Thornton and Jonah Tong do not need to be relied upon by Opening Day barring a spring training injury.

The goal here would be to compete for the division without completely mortgaging the future.

Conclusion

The Mets have many paths to be competitive in 2027. They can also be competitive without mortgaging the future. Owner Steve Cohen has repeatedly spoken about wanting to create a sustainable organization and nothing in recent months has refuted that goal.

This exercise was not meant to try to perfectly predict the paths but to provide blueprints for what they could potentially look like. Share your ideal 2027 rosters in the comments and let’s go Mets!