The Yankees reached the ALDS but were eliminated by Toronto, extending their World Series drought to 17 years. Still, Aaron Judge’s third AL MVP award—after hitting .331 with 53 home runs and 10.1 WAR—cemented his place among Yankee legends.
Across town, the Mets missed the playoffs, finishing 83–79 despite signing Juan Soto to a record $765 million deal. Soto posted strong numbers (.263/.396/.525, 43 HR, 105 RBI, 38 SB), but expectations were sky-high4. He finished third in NL MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
Offseason Needs and Targets
Yankees Offseason Priorities:
- Contact hitters to balance their power-heavy lineup. Top trade target: Steven Kwan (Guardians), a disciplined leadoff option7.
- Third base upgrade: Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is on their radar.
- Bullpen depth: With Devin Williams and Ryan Yarbrough hitting free agency, they’re eyeing Tatsuya Imai, a Japanese ace with a sub-2.00 ERA.
- Cody Bellinger remains a priority to re-sign.
Mets Offseason Priorities:
- Starting pitching: After a disappointing rotation, they’re targeting Tarik Skubal (Tigers) and Tatsuya Imai11.
- First base: With Pete Alonso a free agent, the Mets may re-sign him or pivot to trade options.
- Bullpen and defense: Edwin Díaz is also a free agent, and the Mets need upgrades at second and third base12.
Both teams have money to spend and pressure to deliver. The Yankees shed nearly $90 million in payroll, while the Mets remain one of MLB’s highest spenders.
Can They Beat Their Rivals?
Yankees vs. AL East:
- Toronto eliminated them in the ALDS and remains a threat.
- Baltimore is young and rising, while Boston and Tampa Bay are retooling.
- The Yankees need more consistent contact hitting and bullpen reliability to outlast their division.
Mets vs. NL East:
- Atlanta remains the gold standard.
- Philadelphia made the playoffs again, while Miami knocked the Mets out on the final day.
- The Mets must improve run prevention and rotation depth to contend.
Final thoughts
To contend in 2026, the Yankees must reduce strikeouts and diversify their offensive approach beyond home runs, while reinforcing an outfield that may lose Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham to free agency. With Aaron Judge and Jasson Domínguez anchoring the lineup, prospects like Spencer Jones could help fill the gaps, but pitching depth and lineup balance remain critical MLB. The Mets, meanwhile, face rotation uncertainty and must stabilize their starting pitching, especially with Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz entering free agency and the center-field role still unresolved. Carlos Mendoza returns as manager, but New York’s front office must decide whether to retain Alonso, pursue bullpen reinforcements, and reshape their offensive core to avoid another late-season collapse. Both teams have talent and resources, but smart roster decisions and strategic upgrades will determine whether they can break through in 2026.
