The Mets Promising Future the Upcoming Season

Adrianna Mckinney '26

The Mets currently aren’t playing games this week. However, there’s some recent news about three players for the Mets. All of which seem to be promising for the Mets this upcoming season. 

Also known as America’s top riser, raising 341 spots to 58th overall, for the NY Mets there is a new pitcher, Nolan McLean. Additionally, number 4 Carson Benge rose up 304 spots.

People mainly think that Benge needs more time on the field before games. Even David Stems thinks so, as Benge has a batting average of .128 after 24 games. Benge received a late-season promotion since he did his best work in Double-A, he even played 60 games in High-A prior. He’s definitely defined as a keeper, but the Mets will still need additional help in the outfield. He’s a keeper because he’s known to hit (25 doubles and 18 home runs) and how to steal bases (22 swipes) rather well. 

These two players for the Mets allow fans to believe in them for fantasy. The last player, who some people believe should be the Mets’ top priority, is Tatsuya Imai. Tatsuya Imai is the Japanese right hand of the Mets, and there are three reasons as to why he should be their top priority. Those reasons are his price, his age, and his overall ability. 

Let’s first discuss his price. He’s projected to make less than many of the free agency players. However, he’s still in the top ten of free agents. Both MLB Trade Rumors and Jim Bowden of The Athletic had a similar opinion of Imai. MLB TR projects he will earn $150 million over six years ($25 million average annual value), and Bowden sees Imai making $154 million over seven seasons ($22 million AAV).

These prices compared to those of free agent pitchers are way less. Considering the prices of Framber Valdez, a consensus top-ten free agent, with MLB TR having him earning a five-year $150 million contract ($30 million AAV), and Bowden pining him to sign a more lucrative six-year $189 million deal ($31.17 AAV). Simply put, both Cease and Valdez could sign for upwards of $30 million a year, while Imai may not break $25 million a season.

Now let’s converse about Imai’s age. He’s currently 27 years old and will be turning 28 later in May of 2026. While both Cease and Valdez are in their 30s. Overall, Imai is one of the youngest players on the free agent market this offseason: he will be the youngest MLB free agent pitcher and the third youngest free agent besides this year’s class.

Finally his overall ability. Imai is seen as one of the best pitchers of the NPB. His current stats include 1.92 ERA, 2.01 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP over 163 innings. Additionally, his 27.8% K% was the best in the league this season, and only walked 7% of opponents. His 20.7% K%-BB% was 20.7%, the third best among NPB starting pitchers and Imai’s fastball sits in the mid-to-upper-90s, touching 99 MPH. He has dramatically improved his strike-throwing as well. In 2023, he walked 11.3% of opponents, cut that down to 9.8% in 2024, then to 7% this year. He also throws a slider and a splitter. 

For these reasons above he should be seen as Met’s top priority this upcoming season. The Mets seem to have a promising future this year with these three star players. Though they don’t have the best stats currently, the majority seems to agree that they have potential.