MLB Trade Rumors: 3 Top Trade Targets for NY Mets' Rotation

It was a disastrous collapse for the New York Metsin 2025. With the second-highest team payroll in baseball, they fell off a cliff down the stretch, blowing a sure-fire playoff spot in the final days of the season. Changes are coming, particularly to the pitching staff, and new names will have to be brought in.

Let's have a look at three top trade targets this offseason that would help get the Mets' rotation back to where they want it to be.

Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins SP

Starting pitching is certainly an area that the Mets need to improve in. Neither Sean Manaea nor Frankie Montas are reliable options anymore. And Kodai Senga, who was the ace of the staff, fell off so badly in July & August that he was sent to the minors in September.

Sure, there are plenty of promising young arms on the rise, like Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, but how much they'll all be able to contribute in 2026 is in question, and adding a veteran, reliable top-of-the-rotation ace like Ryan would be a huge boon to the Mets' starting staff. Ryan posted a 3.42 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 for the Twins this past season.

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins, SP

The former Cy Young winner had a tough season in 2025 coming back from his Tommy John surgery hiatus the year before. He is one year closer, however, to reaching his pre-surgery self. Trade rumors surrounded him all season, but the Marlins decided he would have a better market in the offseason, when he was past this disappointing year.

Mackenzie Gore, Washington Nationals SP

Gore is another name that could help the Mets' staff, though likely not to the same degree as Ryan or Alcantara could. Gore is still trying to pitch his way into his prospect pedigree, which was the 3rd overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft. He had a terrific first half for the Nats, and seemed to be ready for his breakout season, with a 3.02 ERA and 11.3 K/9. The second half wasn't as impressive, but he still finished with a 4.17 ERA and flashed the exciting upside he possesses.