We wait...
Morning Dose: Tuesday, December 16
☀️ Good Morning:
David Stearns is still cooking, as the kids might say.
We know more moves are coming. They could come at any second. I will be at the Rangers game tonight, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a major trade is announced as we are scanning our tickets at the gate.
Since we learn these things on social media, it’s easy for that to be a place where rumors start to percolate. My advise to everyone is to enjoy the holiday season, let the news come to you from reliable sources, and we will learn together how the 2026 roster takes shape.
With that, let’s unpack a report we can trust.
📰 ABOVE THE FOLD
⇢ NOT DONE
The Mets still want to add a top-of-the-rotation starter, perhaps a #2 or #3, along with another bat, ideally in the outfield, and someone who could be a name-brand star if they can get one on a shorter-term deal, and they continue to explore the trade market, per the latest report by one of the most plugged-in reporters on the beat, Will Sammon.
Despite the stated desire to improve run prevention on defense, Sammon notes the Mets believe they have enough flexibility to seek more of a “bat-first player,” expanding the possibilities of whom they could add, whether it be a corner outfielder instead of a glove-first centerfielder, or a designated hitter.
Stearns continues to look for ways to improve the bullpen, but also wants to leave runway for a promising group of young pitchers to break into the major leagues.
“As an example of how this could work, Brandon Sproat could be used as a multi-inning reliever,” Sammon writes. “For the long term, Mets officials view him as a starter. But his role (and the role for others) in 2026 may depend on the team’s roster construction by spring training.”
Who’s in center? Stearns has indicated the club would give top prospect Carson Benge a chance to make the roster out of Spring Training. Sammon confirms the front office is comfortable starting the season with Tyrone Taylor and Benge as the main centerfielders; however, he notes that doesn’t preclude them from adding there.
