Friday is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players for the 2026 season. If a player isn’t tendered a contract, they become a free agent. The following Mets are eligible for arbitration:

The Mets have a few players that they will have to make a decision on whether to keep for 2026 or turn them loose.

Tylor Megill

Every year since 2022, Tylor Megill has found his way into the Mets’ rotation after being on the outside looking in to begin spring training. That will not be the case in 2026, as the towering righty underwent Tommy John surgery in September. MLB Trade Rumors projects Megill to make $2.6 million in arbitration. While his 3.95 ERA and 3.43 FIP in 2025 are the best marks of his career, he won’t pitch at all next season and can become a free agent after the 2027 season. Megill’s Mets tenure has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency. While he’s shown flashes of greatness, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s thrown his last pitch in Flushing.

Reed Garrett

Garrett broke out with the Mets in 2024, posting a 3.77 ERA and 3.31 FIP with 83 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He got off to a red-hot start in 2025, posting a 0.95 ERA through June 10, but got roughed up to the tune of a 7.00 ERA for the rest of the season. Garrett went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation in late August, which cost him two weeks. He made four appearances before needing to go back on the injured list with an elbow sprain, and he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Garrett is projected to make $1.4 million in arbitration, but the Mets face a tougher decision since Garrett is under team control through 2029. While he won’t be available in 2026, Garrett could be an important piece of the Mets’ bullpen once he gets healthy.

Max Kranick

Kranick, who grew up a Mets fan, showed promise after cracking the big league roster in 2025, posting a solid 3.65 ERA with 25 strikeouts against just five walks in 37 innings. However, just like Garrett and Megill, he was placed on the injured list with elbow trouble and underwent flexor tendon surgery later in the summer. Kranick is projected to make $1.1 million in arbitration this offseason and has three years of club control remaining. Unlike Megill and Garrett, though, Kranick could return to the mound in 2026, as his recovery timeline is shorter. It’s unclear what Kranick’s role would be, but it might be premature for the Mets to cut ties with him.

Huascar Brazobán

After a rough end to his 2024 season, Brazobán came out of the gates strong in 2025. He was one of the team’s best relievers for the first two months of the season, posting a 1.30 ERA over his first 26 appearances of the season. However, he was torched for 17 earned runs in 17 innings over his next 18 appearances, and was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in late July. Brazobán was recalled in late August and was solid the rest of the year, posting a 2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 innings through the end of the year. He is expected to make $1.3 million in arbitration this offseason and is under team control through 2029. Brazobán has struggled with consistency for much of his Mets tenure and is already 36 years old. With the Mets in desperate need of a bullpen overhaul, they could consider parting ways with the righty to give some younger players with higher upside a shot.

Jose Castillo

Castillo split time with four different teams in 2025, including a 16-game stint with the Mets. He was shuttled between New York and Syracuse, but posted a 2.35 ERA with 19 strikeouts against six walks in 15 1/3 innings with the big club. However, opponents batted .333 against him. The Mets designated Castillo for assignment in September, and he was claimed off waivers by the Mariners. Castillo is projected to make $1.7 million in arbitration, which is a hefty amount for a player who only threw 32 innings in the majors this year. The Mets had a similar situation with another lefty, Alex Young, in 2024, and they non-tendered him despite solid work in 13 2/3 innings. While the Mets are in need of bullpen help, Castillo likely wouldn’t have a major league roster spot in 2026.