Low-Cost, High-Reward Moves The Mets Could Make To Amp Up Their Starting Rotation For 2026

The New York Mets have desperately tried to fill the gap on the pitching rubber left by Jacob deGrom, and it hasn’t worked whatsoever. Obviously at this point in time, deGrom is entering his age 37 season and likely will end his career in Texas so a reunion is out of the question. The most hype a Mets pitcher has gotten since deGrom was Jonah Tong, who was clearly rushed to the majors and as of now is a flop with a 7.71 ERA.

Tong, who is just 22-years-old, has time to develop and will likely begin 2026 in AAA ball. But besides Tong, who do the Mets have in their farm who is MLB ready starter-wise?

Firstly the Mets need to stop trying to fill that Jacob deGrom gap. There will only be one Jacob deGrom. Attempts with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have been ultimate failures. New York reportedly wants to move Senga out of Queens due to inconsistencies in the second half of 2025, despite Senga overall being one of the best starters they have. #

In what has been a rough offseason for the Mets, who desperately need bullpen depth and starters, what exactly can they do at least to help repair their rotation?

The projected starting five is looking to be locked in with only three as the new year starts, with (in no particular order) Clay Homes - David Peterson - Kodai Senga. 

Focusing mainly in starting pitching for this article, the Mets theoretically could use Luke Weaver as a starter. Weaver signed with the Mets earlier this offseason and has expressed interest in being a starter again. As of now it looks like Weaver will be used as the set-up guy in the 8th inning though.

The Mets could also look into former player Erasmo Ramirez, who posted a 2.45 ERA in nine appearances for Minnesota in an injury-filled season. Ramirez, who has been a journeyman reliever with occasional spot-starts over the past seven years, is also expressing interest in becoming a full-time starter again. Ramirez appeared in six games for the Mets in 2020, pitching to a 0.63 ERA and +0.8 pWAR in 14.1 innings. A Ramirez singing would be more so a low-risk, high reward situation.

Fact is, the Mets aren’t going to dump their farm for Skubal or Skenes. The team doesn’t have much cap room to begin with anyways to take on big money contracts, especially if the team signs a player like Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker.

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