The New York Mets have not had a headline-grabbing offseason so far, but reports indicate the team is actively exploring ways to strengthen their rotation for the 2026 season, showing that they are not content with simply standing pat.

According to insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets have expressed interest in free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez, a southpaw with proven Major League and postseason experience, though the team may still prioritize trades over signing free agents.

“The Mets hold some interest in the top remaining free-agent starters, including Valdez, but their focus is on first exploring trades,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote, emphasizing that while interest exists, no deals were imminent as of early Tuesday, and discussions were moving slowly.

The Mets’ approach reflects a cautious but strategic philosophy, aiming to balance short-term improvement with long-term roster flexibility, weighing the cost of free agents against the potential value of trades involving players with club control or high upside.

In addition to Valdez, the Mets reportedly have considered other free-agent pitchers, including Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers, MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals, Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins, Kris Bubic of the Kansas City Royals, and Brady Singer of the Cincinnati Reds.

This wide-ranging list highlights New York’s desire for rotation depth, whether through acquiring established veterans or controlled young arms, signaling that the Mets are actively exploring every avenue to improve a staff that fell short in 2025.

Valdez spent his entire career with the Houston Astros, emerging as a reliable workhorse and two-time All-Star, and he comes off a strong 2025 campaign where he posted a 3.66 ERA across 31 starts, compiling a 13-11 record.

Advanced metrics underline Valdez’s value, with Baseball Savant reporting that he ranked in the 70th percentile in Pitching Run Value and the 91st percentile in Fastball Run Value, demonstrating his ability to limit runs and succeed in a high-leverage role.

Valdez also brings extensive postseason experience to the table, having helped the Astros capture the 2022 World Series and appearing in 17 playoff games, making him a pitcher accustomed to high-pressure situations and a potential stabilizing presence for a Mets rotation seeking consistency.

The 32-year-old’s track record in October highlights his ability to handle both regular-season workloads and the intense spotlight of playoff baseball, qualities that make him an attractive option for a franchise determined to compete in the National League East.

It remains uncertain how aggressively Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and his front office will pursue Valdez, given that the team holds several younger players who could be leveraged in trades to acquire rotation help without surrendering future control.

This latest report, however, signals that the Mets are actively evaluating all options, showing that they are not finished making moves this winter and are committed to improving the roster ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Whether through free agency or trade acquisitions, adding a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber could dramatically alter the makeup of New York’s rotation, providing veteran leadership, durability, and proven skill against high-quality lineups.

The combination of strategic patience and selective targeting illustrates that the Mets front office is focused on both immediate competitiveness and long-term sustainability, balancing the acquisition of proven talent with the development of young players already on the roster.

As spring training approaches, the Mets’ decisions regarding Valdez and other rotation targets will be closely watched, as any additions could significantly impact the team’s playoff chances and position in the National League hierarchy.

Fans, analysts, and competitors alike will be monitoring how Stearns navigates the remainder of the offseason, weighing free-agent acquisitions against trade opportunities to create a rotation capable of supporting a championship-contending lineup.