The New York Mets find themselves in a tricky spot as the 2025-26 MLB offseason heats up, desperately searching for a solution in center field amid one of the thinnest free agent markets in recent memory. With the Hot Stove burning and teams across the league making splashy moves, the Mets’ options are dwindling fast, and the pressure is mounting in Queens.
As of December 3, 2025, the Mets’ front office is scouring the market for a reliable center fielder, but the pickings are slim. Cody Bellinger, arguably the best available name, is now 30 years old and, despite his pedigree, is generally considered a better fit for the corner outfield or even first base rather than patrolling center. Last season, Bellinger may have shown flashes at the plate, but scouts and executives still peg him as a corner bat first and foremost. The Mets, hungry for a true center fielder, are left with little choice but to look elsewhere.
Harrison Bader’s name also surfaced as a potential fit. While Bader enjoyed an offensive uptick last season, his reputation as a glove-first player persists. That’s not a knock—defense up the middle is always at a premium—but the Mets are hoping for a more dynamic, well-rounded addition to their outfield.
Just as the Mets thought they might have a shot at Cedric Mullins, news broke on Wednesday, December 3, that Mullins had reportedly agreed to a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. That’s a significant blow. Mullins, one of the more promising center fielders on the market, would have brought speed, defense, and a left-handed bat to the lineup. Now, the Mets are left scrambling, forced to consider less ideal options or dip into the trade market, which comes with its own set of challenges.
Trade rumors are swirling, but the price tags are steep. The Astros’ Jake Meyers, the Red Sox’s Jarren Duran, and the White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. have all been linked to New York, but with so few viable free agents available, their respective teams are in no rush to part with them cheaply. The scarcity of talent in this year’s free agent class has driven up the cost of trades, making every negotiation a high-stakes affair. One intriguing name that keeps popping up is Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins. If the Twins’ situation changes and Buxton waives his no-trade clause, the Mets could pounce. For now, though, that’s just wishful thinking.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are working their own angles this offseason. After inking starting pitcher Ryan Weiss, the Astros are reportedly not finished. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston believes its best path to acquiring a top or mid-tier starter is via trade rather than free agency. The Astros have fielded considerable interest in both center fielder Jake Meyers and right fielder Jesús Sánchez. However, Sánchez’s value may have dipped after a disappointing performance following the trade deadline. Still, the buzz around Meyers could impact the Mets’ pursuit, especially if Houston decides to cash in on his rising stock.
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com compiled an Astros Winter Meetings primer, highlighting the team’s ongoing search for pitching and the possibility of moving key outfielders. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic added fuel to the fire, discussing the likelihood of the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta being dealt. With so many teams hunting for pitching and outfield help, the market has become a tangled web of rumors and potential blockbusters.
Elsewhere, the MLB Hot Stove is in full swing, and NBC Sports is tracking every major deal. The 2025-26 offseason has already seen some eye-popping contracts. Dylan Cease landed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays, while Josh Naylor signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Mariners. Devin Williams, one of the top relievers in the game, inked a three-year, $51 million pact with the Mets, bolstering their bullpen. Other notable deals include Brandon Woodruff’s one-year, $22.025 million return to the Brewers and Shota Imanaga’s $22.025 million deal with the Cubs. Anthony Kay, after a stint overseas, is back stateside with a two-year, $12 million contract from the White Sox.
The Yankees, never ones to sit quietly, have made moves of their own. Trent Grisham signed a one-year, $22.025 million deal to join the Bronx Bombers, adding depth to their outfield mix. The Braves retained Raisel Iglesias for another year at $16 million, while the Cubs secured Phil Maton on a two-year, $14.5 million contract. The flurry of activity underscores just how competitive and unpredictable this offseason has become.
Back in Queens, the Mets are feeling the heat. With Pete Alonso still anchoring first base and Edwin Diaz returning to the bullpen, the club boasts some star power. But the glaring hole in center field remains a concern for fans and management alike. As the days tick by, the urgency grows. The club’s pursuit of a true center fielder is complicated by the fact that most of the top options have already found new homes or are too costly to acquire in a trade.
"This is not a great time for the Mets to need a center fielder," wrote Mike Puma, capturing the sentiment of many around the league. The free agent market is so thin that it’s inspiring "Ozempic rumors," a tongue-in-cheek nod to just how desperate the search has become. The Mets’ front office, led by a determination to contend in 2026, is weighing every possibility, from blockbuster trades to creative platoons.
With the Astros actively shopping players like Jake Meyers and the league’s top contenders jockeying for position, the Mets might have to get aggressive. The cost could be steep—prospects, young arms, or even established big leaguers may need to be moved. But with the National League East shaping up to be a dogfight once again, standing pat simply isn’t an option.
Beyond Queens and Houston, the rest of MLB is buzzing with intrigue. Cubs starter Matthew Boyd announced he’ll pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, while Anthony Kay’s return to the majors is a feel-good story for the White Sox. Josh Byrnes, now named GM of the Colorado Rockies, adds another chapter to his storied front office career, having now helmed three different NL West teams. Buster Olney of ESPN, always a keen observer, listed the biggest needs for ten contending teams—though, curiously, he omitted the Astros from his analysis, a move that’s raised a few eyebrows in Houston.
As the Winter Meetings approach, all eyes are on the Mets and their next move. Will they pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade, or will patience and creativity win the day? For now, the search continues, and the pressure is on to find that elusive center fielder who could make all the difference in 2026. Stay tuned—this Hot Stove season is just getting started, and there’s plenty of drama yet to unfold.