MLB Rumors: Mets Linked To Blockbuster Acquisition This Offseason
The New York Mets are expected to once again make headlines this offseason, and this time it’s for their pursuit of a true ace.
After their late-season collapse left them out of the 2025 postseason picture, the Mets are determined to correct last winter’s biggest mistake: neglecting their starting rotation.
According to multiple reports, including Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Christopher Kline of Fansided, the Mets are strongly linked to right-hander Dylan Cease, who’s expected to become one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market.
Dylan Cease is the only MLB pitcher with 200+ strikeouts in each of the last five seasons! pic.twitter.com/lGimj8k4gU
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 14, 2025
Mets Eye Dylan Cease as Top Target to Bolster 2026 Rotation
Cease, who spent the past two seasons with the San Diego Padres, has become one of MLB’s most electric yet unpredictable arms.
The 29-year-old posted a 3.47 ERA with 224 strikeouts in 2024 but regressed to a 4.55 mark in 2025, continuing his odd trend of alternating dominant and inconsistent years. Even so, Cease has logged over 200 strikeouts in five straight seasons, leading the league in strikeouts per nine innings (11.5) last year.
He’s also proven remarkably durable, making at least 32 starts each season since 2020. That combination of strikeout stuff and reliability makes him exactly the type of ace New York needs to complement Kodai Senga and stabilize a rotation that faltered badly down the stretch.
Dylan Cease is a legitimately strong free-agent SP candidate: his 32+ starts, 168+ innings and 200+ strikeouts across each of the last three seasons give him both volume and elite swing‑and‑miss ability, which are premium traits for a rotation anchor. #ForTheFaithful (1/2) pic.twitter.com/sdlKGpbH58
— Boogie Muse (@BoogieFlandMuse) October 4, 2025
Spotrac projects Cease’s next contract at six years and $158.5 million, a price the Mets appear willing to pay as owner Steve Cohen and GM David Stearns seek to reassert the team as an NL powerhouse.
After investing heavily in Juan Soto and other offensive firepower last offseason, the Mets now understand that a legitimate ace must anchor their staff to contend with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
With Cease reportedly open to testing free agency and the Padres unlikely to retain him, New York could be in pole position to land one of the most coveted arms of the 2026 offseason.
Photo Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
