The New York Mets haven’t made their signature blockbuster move yet, but momentum is quietly building. According to NBC Sports’ Matthew Pouliot, the Mets may hold a real advantage in the race for Alex Bregman, the top third baseman available in free agency. And as projections across the industry line up, the noise around Queens is only getting louder.
Pouliot identified the Mets as his official contract prediction for Bregman, projecting a six-year, $168 million deal—a number that sits right in the middle of what other outlets have forecast. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman went to seven years, Baseball America projected six for $180 million, and The Athletic’s Tim Britton landed at six for $171 million. No matter the projection, the Mets consistently appear at or near the top of the list.
Why the Mets Look Like a Fit
The Mets didn’t get the production they needed at third base in 2025. Brett Baty struggled again. Mark Vientos showed promise, but looked more comfortable at first base. And with Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz both hitting free agency, the club faces major decisions.
That’s where Bregman comes in. Pouliot argued that swapping Alonso for Bregman—essentially reallocating money from first base to third—could leave the Mets with a stronger infield overall. It wouldn’t be a straight one-for-one replacement in terms of offense, but Bregman’s defensive value, leadership reputation, and elite contact skills fill multiple weaknesses at once.
And unlike the Yankees, Phillies, or Mariners, the Mets don’t have to stretch their payroll structure to sign him. Steve Cohen can decide he wants Bregman, and the front office can execute.
Pouliot also noted that Bregman’s market benefits from a down year for available third basemen. Nolan Arenado looks diminished. Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto project as first basemen, not hot-corner solutions. Bo Bichette could be moved to third someday, but most evaluators see him as a second baseman long-term. With so few true third basemen available, Bregman becomes a rare premium fit.
And that’s where the Mets gain an edge. They have a glaring need. They have the financial might. And they have fewer internal alternatives than nearly every other contender linked to him.
What Bregman Brings After His Red Sox Run
Even with a late-season slump brought on by a quad strain, Bregman still posted a 128 OPS+ for Boston in 2025. He started hot, held steady through mid-summer, and only dipped in the final month as the injury lingered. NBC Sports’ breakdown highlighted Bregman’s consistency over the past six years: never below a 112 OPS+, always grading as an above-average defender, and still showing the patient, gap-to-gap approach that made him a two-time All-Star in Houston.
At 32, he wants a long-term home. And the Mets may be the club most likely to give it to him.
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson linked him to the Mets earlier this offseason. Now NBC Sports joins in. The projections keep aligning. And until the Red Sox decide whether they’re in or out, the Mets look like the one team without roadblocks.
Pouliot put it simply: Bregman has several suitors, but only one team clearly checks every box.
Right now, that’s the New York Mets.
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