With only about seven weeks remaining in the MLB regular season, the New York Mets are entering a critical stretch for several players whose futures with the organization remain uncertain. Every game from this point forward could carry significant weight as president of baseball operations David Stearns evaluates which pieces deserve a place on the 2027 roster and which players may be better suited elsewhere.
The remaining weeks will give the Mets an extended opportunity to evaluate their current personnel under real major-league pressure. Some players will be attempting to establish that they can become reliable contributors, while others will be looking to finish the season strongly enough to preserve their place in the organization or increase their value heading into the offseason.
Several veterans also have important individual motivations. Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien have time to demonstrate that their current struggles do not define what they can provide going forward. Bo Bichette, meanwhile, has an especially important stretch ahead as he attempts to improve his production and strengthen his free-agent position should he decide to opt out. Mark Vientos also has something to prove once he completes his rehabilitation, particularly when it comes to showing that he can consistently punish left-handed pitching.
Beyond those names, five active Mets stand out as players who could significantly influence Stearns’ offseason decisions.
1. Brett Baty
Brett Baty remains one of the more intriguing players fighting for a future with the Mets. His career has been inconsistent enough to create legitimate questions about whether he can become a dependable everyday contributor, but the organization still has reasons to keep giving him opportunities.
His ability to handle multiple positions gives him additional value, especially for a roster that could benefit from defensive flexibility. Baty also remains relatively affordable, which could make retaining him more attractive than pursuing another expensive option.
There is also still a minor-league option available, although using it would probably represent a last resort. If Baty were sent back to Triple-A, it would likely be viewed as another attempt to unlock potential that has repeatedly surfaced without becoming consistent production.
The next seven weeks could therefore be extremely important. A strong finish could convince the Mets that Baty deserves another opportunity in 2027, while another prolonged slump could push the organization toward finding a different solution.
2. Kodai Senga
Kodai Senga’s situation could develop into one of the more fascinating offseason storylines for the Mets.
Rather than functioning strictly as a traditional starter, Senga has recently been used in higher-leverage relief situations. That change in role could ultimately provide the Mets with an alternative way to maximize his value while reducing some of the concerns surrounding his ability to consistently handle a starter’s workload.
His contract is another major factor. Senga is owed $15 million next season, making him a difficult player to simply move without receiving something meaningful in return. If the Mets cannot find a suitable trade, they could instead decide that keeping him as a dependable bullpen option is the most practical route.
For Senga, the final seven weeks could determine whether he is viewed as a rotation piece, a bullpen weapon or a contract the Mets would prefer to move. If he can consistently perform in important situations, remaining with the organization suddenly becomes a much more realistic possibility.
3. Zac Thornton
Zac Thornton has quietly put himself into the conversation for a 2027 roster spot with his unexpected effectiveness on the mound.
Young pitchers can quickly move up or down an organization’s depth chart, and Thornton still has plenty to prove before the Mets can consider him a permanent member of their pitching plans. Nevertheless, his recent performances have demonstrated that he may be capable of providing legitimate major-league depth.
The Mets’ projected rotation could feature intriguing young arms such as Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, potentially leaving Thornton competing for another opening. The possibility of Sean Manaea remaining in the picture could further complicate the equation and limit how aggressively New York needs to pursue additional starting pitching during the offseason.
Thornton could also become valuable trade currency if another club views his upside favorably. Still, his ability to step into the rotation when injuries occur could make him particularly useful to the Mets.
At this point, he appears more likely than not to remain part of the organization’s plans, provided he maintains his current level of performance. The final weeks of the season will determine whether he enters the offseason as a legitimate rotation candidate or simply another depth option.
4. Everyone in the Bullpen Not Named Devin Williams
The Mets’ bullpen is essentially an open competition.
With the organization still searching for dependable answers beyond Devin Williams, the remaining weeks provide an extended audition for several pitchers. New York can afford to experiment with different arms and determine which ones deserve opportunities when the 2027 roster is assembled.
Left-handers Jefry Yan and Nate Lavender have shown enough to remain interesting possibilities. Daniel Duarte could also position himself for a longer-term role if he continues to pitch effectively.
Then there is Chayce McDermott, whose presence creates another intriguing evaluation. It may be difficult to envision him becoming a fixture on next year’s roster at this stage, but strong performances down the stretch could force the Mets to reconsider that assumption.
Jonathan Pintaro also deserves attention, while Zach Franklin could emerge as another candidate after arriving in the Huascar Brazoban trade. A strong finish from any of these pitchers could dramatically change how Stearns approaches the bullpen during the winter.
The Mets do not necessarily need every one of these arms to succeed. They simply need a few of them to emerge as dependable options, reducing the number of holes the front office must fill through free agency or trades.
5. Francisco Alvarez
Francisco Alvarez may have more at stake than almost anyone else on this list.
The young catcher remains one of the Mets’ most talented players, but his future is no longer completely secure. Alvarez has produced offensively at times this season, yet his inconsistency in important situations has continued to generate frustration. His defense has also remained a major concern, creating questions about whether his overall value is high enough to justify keeping him as a central piece of the roster.
That uncertainty could make Alvarez one of the Mets’ most valuable trade chips this offseason.
Unlike a veteran contract that might primarily be moved to reduce payroll, trading Alvarez could allow New York to address another significant weakness on the roster. His age, offensive upside and position could make him attractive to teams looking for a potential long-term catcher.
The Mets therefore face a major decision. They can continue investing in Alvarez and hope he develops into the impact catcher many expected him to become, or they can use his trade value to address another need.
The final seven weeks could play a significant role in determining which direction Stearns chooses.
A crucial stretch for the Mets
For these players, the remainder of the season is about more than simply finishing the schedule. It is an extended audition for 2027.
Stearns will have to determine which players can be trusted, which ones still have untapped upside and which roster spots could be better used elsewhere. A strong September could save a player’s Mets career, while a disappointing finish could make an offseason change increasingly difficult to avoid.
With the organization already thinking about its next competitive window, every remaining opportunity matters. For Baty, Senga, Thornton, the bullpen candidates and Alvarez, the message is straightforward: there may be only seven weeks left to convince the Mets that they belong in the future.
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