The New York Mets got their bat. Now, the spotlight shifts to the rotation.
For months, New York has been linked to nearly every available arm on the market, whether via trade or free agency. The need is clear: this team still lacks dependable starting pitching depth. Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta has dominated the rumor mill thanks to his team-friendly, expiring contract and Milwaukee’s well-documented tendency to move players before they get expensive.
But Peralta isn’t the only option. Quietly, the Boston Red Sox have emerged as a team with multiple controllable starters who could be made available, especially after committing five years and $155 million to Ranger Suárez following Alex Bregman’s departure. Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Patrick Sandoval all fit the mold.
Among them, Bello stands out the most. A young, cost-controlled starter on a long-term deal, Bello has shown steady year-over-year development, exactly the type of arm the Mets should be prioritizing as they look to stabilize their rotation beyond 2026.
Who is Brayan Bello?
Bello has been part of the Red Sox organization since he was 18, signing as an international prospect and developing entirely through Boston’s farm system. He climbed prospect boards quickly, peaking as Boston’s No. 5 prospect in 2022 before earning his first big-league call-up.
The 26-year-old debuted in 2022, throwing 57 innings with 55 strikeouts and a 4.71 ERA. The following season offered a clearer glimpse of his upside, as Bello logged 157 innings, struck out 132 batters, and finished 12–11 with a 4.24 ERA. Recognizing his trajectory, Boston moved quickly before the 2024 season, signing Bello to a six-year, $55 million extension, locking in a controllable starter on a team-friendly deal.
That investment paid off. Bello took a major step forward last season, posting a career-best 3.35 ERA across a career-high 166 innings while continuing to refine his command. His improved control led to a career-low WHIP and significantly softer contact. Behind the scenes, the Red Sox pitching lab played a key role, adjusting Bello’s arm angle from 29 degrees to 33 in one offseason, an important tweak that complemented his ground-ball-heavy profile and helped limit hard contact.
The evolution changed Bello’s identity as a pitcher. Once reliant on working deep counts to chase strikeouts, he became far more efficient, posting career lows in pitches per plate appearance (3.84) and pitches per inning (16.4), allowing him to work deeper into games consistently.
Why this works for the Mets
The Mets’ rotation had a glaring issue in 2025: length. Following their collapse that began on June 12, Mets starters averaged just 4.71 innings per start. Only Clay Holmes and David Peterson eclipsed 160 innings on the entire season. Durability and efficiency remain critical needs, especially for a staff that has struggled to maintain their health.
Nolan McLean showed he could provide that stability, going at least five innings in all eight of his starts, but one young arm isn’t enough to carry a rotation. Bello alone wouldn’t solve the Mets’ pitching issues, but he would be a meaningful step in the right direction.
His evolving approach fits naturally at Citi Field, a pitcher-friendly environment that rewards ground-ball pitchers who limit hard contact. Bello’s improved efficiency and contact management would immediately translate.
Financially, the fit is just as clean. Bello is under control through 2030 at roughly $9 million per year, keeping him affordable through his age-30 season. Meanwhile, Boston is actively searching for help at the corners, an area where the Mets have surplus options. Brett Baty or Mark Vientos could headline a deal, especially with both players lacking a clear path to everyday roles following the signing of Bo Bichette.
There’s also an under-the-radar connection that strengthens the case. Mets pitching coach Justin Willard served as Boston’s director of pitching over the past three seasons, playing a direct role in Bello’s development. That familiarity could ease the transition and further unlock Bello’s upside in Queens.
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