Yankees and Mets Prepare for Aggressive Offseason Amid Lockout Threat

New York's two major league franchises are preparing for an intense November as the baseball industry braces for a possible lockout on December 1. Insiders expect the month to resemble the chaotic leadup to the 2021 stoppage, where teams rushed to sign free agents and complete trades before operations halted. The action is set to begin as early as next week when general managers convene in Las Vegas. Both the Yankees and the Mets are expected to be active participants in these early negotiations.

The teams enter the offseason with different recent results. The Yankees reached the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons under manager Aaron Boone but lost to an American League East rival in the division series for the second year in a row. The Mets missed the postseason for the second consecutive year, finishing last in the National League East while maintaining one of the two largest payrolls in the sport.

For the Yankees, strengthening the bullpen is the top priority. The team led the majors in staff ERA in 2026, so starting pitching was not a problem. However, the relief corps is thin. Left-hander Brent Headrick is the only current reliever under team control who appeared in at least 17 games last season. The club extended a qualifying offer to closer David Bednar, who has until November 17 to decide on a one-year contract worth $23.15 million. If he declines, the Yankees may sign him to a multiyear deal or convert surplus starters such as Ryan Weathers, Clarke Schmidt, or Luis Gil into relief roles.

The Yankees also need a right-handed-hitting catcher to pair with left-handed hitter Austin Wells. Wells finished the season strongly with a .784 OPS in the final two months. Free agent Ryan Jeffers is a top option, though his price tag may be high for a platoon role given the congestion at designated hitter. Carson Kelly and Tyler Stephenson are cheaper alternatives, while Hunter Goodman and Shea Langeliers are potential trade targets.

Addressing the infield is another key goal. Ryan McMahon underperformed at third base, prompting the team to look for a replacement or a partner. The free agent market is thin, with Teruaki Sato being the best available option despite fit concerns. Trades involving Isaac Paredes or Royce Lewis are also possibilities. At second base, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely to leave, the Yankees may rely on Anthony Volpe or Jose Caballero, or consider free agents like Gleyber Torres.

The Mets face an urgent need for starting pitching. Their rotation is shallow, and they require a frontline starter to complement Nolan McLean. Tarik Skubal, the best free agent available, tops their wish list. President of baseball operations David Stearns has historically avoided long-term deals for older starters, but owner Steve Cohen could support an exception for Skubal. Other targets include Michael King, Trevor Rogers, and Nick Pivetta.

Beyond the rotation, the Mets must rebuild their bullpen. After trading four relievers at the deadline, the middle of the pen has questions. Devin Williams remains the closer, but the team needs stronger bridges. Players like Nate Lavender, Daniel Duarte, and Reed Garrett offer potential, though creativity will be required to assemble a reliable group.

Finally, the Mets need a dependable first baseman. The decision to sign Jorge Polanco after moving on from Pete Alonso proved difficult, as Polanco struggled with injury and performance. Mark Vientos also had a disappointing season. However, Jared Young stepped up, batting .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs. Young performed better against right-handed pitchers, suggesting the Mets should add a right-handed-hitting first baseman to platoon with him.