Mets President David Stearns Targets Five Starters Before Dec. 1 Lockout

Major League Baseball operates under a strict timeline, and the New York Mets find themselves in a hurry to address a major roster gap. President of baseball operations David Stearns has identified starting pitching as his primary need for the upcoming offseason. The team struggled to meet expectations during the 2026 season, and Stearns aims to pair a top-tier veteran with current starters Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton. The window for action is closing fast as the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. After that deadline, all trades and signings are frozen until a new deal is reached.

Stearns faces a compressed timeline that will force the market to move quickly in November. He must decide on a target while weighing the financial implications of long-term commitments. The following five pitchers represent the main options under consideration for the Queens club.

Tarik Skubal stands as the most prominent candidate on the list. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner joined the Los Angeles Dodgers via trade and maintained a strong performance with a 5-2 record, a 2.61 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 62 innings. Projected earnings for Skubal range from $300 million to $400 million. This figure exceeds Stearns' typical preference for shorter or more moderate contracts for starting pitchers, though signing Skubal would provide an immediate boost to the Mets' postseason outlook.

Michael King entered free agency on Thursday morning after opting out of the final two years worth $58 million on his contract with the San Diego Padres. The right-hander has posted a 3.15 ERA, a 1.188 WHIP, and 436 strikeouts over 432 innings since the start of the 2024 season. King turns 32 in May, making this his final opportunity to secure a long-term deal worth nine figures.

Clay Holmes presents a potential reunion for the Mets. The veteran right-hander started his second season in Queens with a 2.39 ERA in nine appearances before a leg injury ended his campaign. He was subsequently traded to the Chicago Cubs. Holmes opted out of the final year of his contract on Thursday morning and has expressed interest in returning to New York. Acquiring Holmes would reverse a move where Stearns traded Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor for infielder Jefferson Rojas, the Mets' top prospect.

Tyler Mahle offers a mix of risk and recent performance data. The 32-year-old right-hander posted a 4.32 career ERA from 2017 to 2024. However, he showed flashes of elite command in 2025 with the Texas Rangers, recording a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts. This season with the San Francisco Giants began poorly with a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts. After a trade to the Atlanta Braves, Mahle went 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP in nine appearances against a division rival.

Kevin Gausman represents a depth option for the rotation. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 4.51 ERA in 2026, but his 3.74 FIP and 1.27 WHIP suggest underlying performance was better than the raw numbers indicate. Gausman has discussed retirement plans publicly and may be willing to accept a short-term, team-friendly contract to serve as a mid-rotation arm.

The Mets must finalize their plans before the labor dispute deadline arrives. The choice between a high-priced ace like Skubal and a value option like Gausman will define the club's offensive and pitching strategy for the next several years. Stearns and his staff have until the end of November to negotiate these deals.