With the MLB postseason set to begin this week, the New York Mets will be watching from the sidelines after a disappointing 2026 campaign.
Their early elimination shifts the focus toward the offseason, where the organization will have several important roster decisions to make. Strengthening the starting rotation figures to be one of the Mets’ biggest priorities, particularly as the club looks for ways to rebound and return to postseason contention.
One potential name emerging as an offseason option is former American League Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. FanSided’s Jake Elman recently connected the Mets to the veteran right-hander, who has spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bieber is no longer the dominant workhorse he was during his peak years, but his previous success and experience could make him an intriguing name for teams searching for veteran pitching. For the Mets, adding another experienced starter could become especially important as their rotation potentially undergoes significant changes.
Bieber’s recent injury history, however, makes the situation far more complicated. The right-hander suffered a season-ending injury in 2026 and has managed just 95.1 innings across the past two seasons.
That lack of durability could make him a risk for a Mets team that needs dependable innings rather than another question mark in the rotation.
At his best, Bieber has demonstrated the ability to pitch at an elite level, but the Mets would have to weigh that upside against his recent health concerns and limited workload.
The Mets’ potential need for another veteran starter is tied to several expected changes within their pitching staff. As Elman pointed out, the departures of Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes would leave additional openings, while Kodai Senga could potentially be moved in a trade or transition permanently into a bullpen role.
Those possibilities could create multiple holes for president of baseball operations David Stearns to address during the winter.
While Bieber could provide experience and upside, the Mets may ultimately look for a pitcher with a stronger recent track record of durability and consistent production if they are prepared to make a significant financial commitment.
For now, Bieber remains an intriguing name rather than a confirmed Mets target. The offseason could bring plenty of movement across the pitching market, and New York will likely evaluate numerous options before deciding how aggressively to address its rotation.
After missing the playoffs in 2026, the Mets have an opportunity to reshape their staff and address the weaknesses that contributed to their disappointing season.
Whether that process eventually leads them toward a former Cy Young winner such as Bieber or toward a more reliable starter remains one of the major questions surrounding the club heading into the winter.
