The New York Mets entered the 2026 season with high hopes and a revamped roster, but so far, the results have been nothing short of disastrous. Sitting at a dismal 15-25 record—the worst in Major League Baseball—the team is already facing tough questions about its future. A brutal 12-game losing streak has sucked the life out of the clubhouse, and the fan base is growing restless.

President of Baseball Operations David Stearns had a clear plan last offseason. After the Mets collapsed in the second half of 2025—despite owning the best record in baseball in mid-June—Stearns focused on "run prevention." He overhauled nearly one-third of the 26-man roster, moving on from several longtime fan favorites to prioritize defense and pitching. The idea was sound: build a team that could hold leads and avoid another late-season meltdown.

But the execution has been a different story. While the defense hasn't been as bad as feared—even with shortstop Bo Bichette sliding over to third base and infielder Jorge Polanco (currently on the injured list with multiple ailments) trying his hand at first—the offense has taken a massive hit. The bats have gone quiet, and the team has struggled to score runs consistently.

Injuries have certainly played a role, but even when the Mets were at full strength early on, the returns were underwhelming. The pitching staff, after a horrendous start, has quietly climbed into the top 10 in ERA. The bullpen remains a concern, though closer Devin Williams—who stumbled out of the gate—has started to find his groove.

One of the biggest offseason moves was trading for ace right-hander Freddy Peralta. The two-time All-Star was supposed to anchor the rotation, but he hasn't consistently pitched deep into games. While he's shown signs of improvement lately, he hasn't been the dominant force the Mets desperately need. With Peralta set to hit free agency after this season, his name is already surfacing in trade rumors. If the Mets can't turn things around quickly, he could be wearing a different uniform by the trade deadline.

So, what comes next? ESPN's Kiley McDaniel recently broke down how the Mets might approach the upcoming offseason. With the 2026 season slipping away, the front office faces some tough decisions. Do they retool around their young core? Make another big splash in free agency? Or take a step back and rebuild? One thing is clear: the current path isn't working, and the Mets will need to make some bold moves to get back on track.