The Mets have entered a definitive phase of their offseason strategy, and the message from the front office is becoming increasingly clear: Steve Cohen’s money is available, but the farm system is not. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns appears determined to build a championship roster without mortgaging the future, signaling a reluctance to part with top-tier prospects like Jonah Tong, Carson Benge, and Jett Williams.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Mets are drawing a line in the sand regarding their prospect capital. While the trade market remains active, the organization prefers to flex its financial muscle rather than deplete its minor league depth.
“They got their hands on all these guys. They don’t wanna give up top prospects, and don’t want to go long,” Heyman reported. “They’re certainly looking at Valdez, Suarez, Bellinger.”
Guarding the Gold: The “Untouchables”
The Mets’ reluctance to move their blue-chip prospects stems from a belief that sustainable winning requires a constant pipeline of homegrown talent. Pitcher Jonah Tong, whose stock has skyrocketed after a dominant MiLB 2025 campaign, along with outfielder Carson Benge and infielder Jett Williams, represents the next wave of core players.
Trading any of these names would likely be the cost of entry for a blockbuster deal, but reports suggest the Mets are pivoting away from that path. While the Mets are secretly still alive in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, it is widely understood that such a move would be the exception, not the rule. Unless a generational talent like Skubal becomes available for a palatable price, Stearns is content to keep his “untouchables” exactly where they are.
Spending Money is “Cheaper” Than Spending Prospects
Instead of trading away the future, the Mets are looking to solve their roster holes with a checkbook. The connection to free-agent starters Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez makes perfect sense in this context. Both pitchers offer the frontline stability the Mets crave without requiring the sacrifice of a Jonah Tong or Jett Williams. They cost money—a resource the Mets have in abundance—rather than talent.
This philosophy also extends to the outfield market. The team’s interest in Cody Bellinger aligns with their desire to avoid “going long” on massive decade-plus contracts that often age poorly. Similarly, discussions have surfaced regarding whether the Mets can convince Kyle Tucker to sign a high-AAV, short-term deal, a structure that would allow them to acquire an elite bat while maintaining long-term flexibility.
By prioritizing free agents like Valdez, Suarez, and Bellinger, the Mets are attempting to thread the needle: building a World Series contender for 2026 while ensuring the farm system remains stocked for 2027 and beyond.