MLB’s hot stove is finally here, and the rumors are swirling from all angles. With the New York Mets already getting involved in the trade market by acquiring Marcus Semien from the Rangers, they are expected to continue being active.
The wishlist of items for the Mets includes many things, mainly because of their aggressive offseason habits, but a starter remains at the top of the list, and trading for a starter might be a better option than signing one in free agency. A recent trade idea has the Mets acquiring the Kansas City Royals starter Cole Ragans.
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Mets-Royals Trade Idea Sends Cole Ragans to New York
It’s almost a given that the New York Mets are going to make more moves this offseason, but it’s just a matter of who they will acquire and how they will do it.
A recent “fresh trade ideas” piece by Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, Â the Mets are predicted to trade for Kansas City Royals All-Star starter Cole Ragans:
“To NYM: LHP Cole Ragans
To KC: RHP Jonah Tong, OF Carson Benge, IF/OF Ronny Mauricio, 1B Ryan Clifford”
That’s a big haul for the Mets to give up, but that package would certainly benefit the Royals in terms of gaining some hitting capital in their organization. The Mets would land the No.2/3 starter option they are looking for as well.
Cole Ragans also comes with a very team-friendly deal. He signed a three-year, $13.25 million deal before the 2025 season. That is certainly a contract the Mets would have no problems picking up, and what could give them even more reason is the fact that Ragans has a career 3.66 ERA.
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What Would Cole Ragans Bring to the Mets?
If the Royals did decide to give up Cole Ragans, and he landed on the Mets, New York can expect a starter who has the ability to punch out several batters.
In 2024, Ragans was named an All-Star and finished the season with a 3.14 ERA over 32 starts and struck out 223 batters. In 2025, injuries limited Ragans to just 13 starts, but he still struck out 90+ batters in 61.2 innings pitched.
According to BaseballReference.com, Ragans is projected to post a 3.77 ERA in just over 100 innings next season. The Mets will already firmly be in contention for the playoffs next season due to the supporting cast of position players, and the remaining moves they will make, so it’s not like they will be heavily relying on Ragans like some other players.
However, the Mets remain one of the more interesting teams to follow this offseason. They have huge decisions to make regarding Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, as it seems the market for both of them is very vast.
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