What's next for the Mets? What big spenders need now and this offseason to compete in 2027
The spiraling New York Mets on Friday morning took the long-anticipated step of firing manager Carlos Mendoza and replacing him with former Padres skipper Andy Green on an interim basis. The move happened as the Mets have, at present, lost six in a row and fallen to a season-worst 13 games below .500. That 34-47 record puts them on a 94-loss pace. Needless to say, the Mets' playoff odds, even with the third wild-card spot available in each league, are dismal, even if lead decision-maker David Stearns has not yet fully committed to a deadline sell-off.
The Mets enter a weekend series against the Phillies with the third-worst record in the National League and they are 9 ½ games out of a playoff spot.
Barring a miraculous rise up the standings, the Mets' 2026 season is a squandered one, and that means the focus shifts to 2027 -- a season upon which Stearns' job may hinge (assuming it isn't already in peril). So what could lead to a reversal of fortunes in Queens next season? Let's have a look at the Mets' 2027 wish-list as they find themselves at an organizational crossroads.
Better health
Without question, injuries to key contributors have hit the Mets hard thus far in 2026. Star shortstop Francisco Lindor suffered a hamate bone injury in spring training, and that required surgery. He made it back by Opening Day, but it's possible such a troublesome wrist injury was still compromising him at the plate. Then a calf strain cost Lindor two months, and at this writing he's played in just 25 games this season.
Lindor isn't far removed from being one of the best players in all of baseball for the Mets from 2022-25, and he's certainly not the kind of player type who suffers premature decline. Getting a healthy and close-to-peak Lindor in 2027 is a necessity.
Then there's Juan Soto. The Mets' lineup fulcrum missed about three weeks earlier this season with a calf strain of his own, and now -- just in time for Lindor's return from the injured list -- he's been limited by back problems. Elsewhere, Clay Holmes, whose transition from reliever to starter on the Mets' watch has gone swimmingly, is on the 60-day IL with a fractured fibula. Jorge Polanco, signed this past offseason to replace some of Pete Alonso's production, dealt with an Achilles issue early in the season, and he's been out since the middle of April with a wrist contusion. Polanco has played in 14 of the Mets' 81 games thus far. Luis Robert Jr. has been out since late April with a herniated disk in his back. Catcher Francisco Alvarez also missed a chunk of time.
Those are all core players -- or were anticipated to be core players -- who have lost chunks of their 2026 seasons thus far to injuries. To be sure, Polanco and Robert have an established history of getting hurt, but Lindor and Soto have regularly answered the bell for years. At the very least, they need full-ish seasons in 2027 from their two biggest stars.
A fortified rotation... that includes Tarik Skubal?
The Mets' rotation right now has been a major flop. Right now, Mets' starting pitchers rank 28th in MLB in ERA, and you simply can't contend with a rotation that's allowing that many runs. In terms of fielding-independent pitching, or FIP, the Mets' rotation checks in at a much more respectable 13th in MLB. That suggests they've been a bit unlucky thus far, so perhaps the foundation in place is a bit more firm than the ERA would lead you to believe.
It remains to be seen what the trade deadline means on this front. Freddy Peralta seems like a good bet to be moved should Stearns (wisely) decide to sell, but Peralta's a pending free agent anyway. Holmes, even though he's likely going to be on the IL until after the deadline, may also be moved. However, he's on a $12 million player option for next season, and given Holmes' success as a starter since 2025 he seems likely to test the market.
As for what is coming back, high-ceiling youngster Nolan McLean has endured some fits and starts in his rookie season, but there's no doubting he's rotation fixture for the Mets for years to come. Tylor Megill, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September of last year, should be up for a full 2026, and his strikeout chops should help stabilize the back end. Maybe prospect Jonah Tong will be a factor, but he's had a disaster of a season at Triple-A this year. Right-hander Christian Scott, soon to return from the IL (hip), has a 95 mph fastball that plays up because of good plate-ward extension off the mound. and he fared well across nine starts this season. He should probably be able to take regular turns next season, at least until further notice.
What's clear is that outside additions will be necessary if the Mets are aiming to contend in 2027 and beyond. Reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal should be the priority target. He's headed for free agency, and although we don't know what the offseason will look like thanks to ongoing labor strife, Skubal is made-to-order for the Mets and the vast resources of owner Steve Cohen. Will Skubal see the Mets as an alluring destination? That's the unknown, but they should go full-bore after him. The quality of the class of free agent starters drops off swiftly after that, depending upon how you interpret Peralta's uncharacteristic struggles this season, which means the Mets may also need to take a swing on less of a known quantity. Dustin May, whose mutual option with the Cardinals probably means free agency, is at least somewhat interesting given his ongoing revival. Brandon Woodruff is another pending free agent, and he has a long record of success when healthy plus ties to Stearns back in Milwaukee. Matthew Boyd is another mututal-option guy who's likely to find his way to the market. There are appealing depth options, but landing Skubal has to be mission No. 1 for the Mets this coming winter.
Bo Bichette to find his level
Circling back to the lineup, youngsters Carson Benge and AJ Ewing look like long-term presences in the outfield, but what the Mets really need is for Bichette to produce like he did during his peak Toronto years. That's especially the case given the uncertainty provided by decline-phase Marcus Semien and failure-to-launch Mark Vientos elsewhere in the infield.
Bichette's been raking in June, and overall his xwOBA -- a measure of what a hitter's production should be based on quality of contact -- says he's been pretty unlucky in 2026. The Mets need the Bichette they signed last offseason, and recent signs point to his being just that. All of this, of course, is assuming Bichette doesn't opt out after this season.
As any fan or team exec can tell you, it's hard for a complete wish list to be realized, and this applies to the Mets of 2027. Many of these things need to happen for the Mets, though, at least if they're going to make their paying customers forget the angst of 2026 (and, for that matter, the angst of the 2025 stretch drive). If that doesn't come to pass, then the Mets' front office may be in for yet another round of upheaval.
The Mets' 2026 season isn't looking like one of relevance, but as soon as the offseason begins, the stakes in Queens will become much, much greater.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
