NY Mets free agency is here. We rank their 9 best targets for 2027

The Mets front office has had plenty of time to assess how they can reconfigure their roster to move past two straight disastrous seasons without a playoff appearance.The club was eliminated from postseason contention on Sept. 14 this past season, so leadership has had a month and a half to assess what needs to change.The first decision came down on Thursday as Bo Bichette decided to opt into his $42 million option for the 2027 season. It locked in an important bat near the top of the Mets lineup, but voids still persist near the top of the starting rotation and in the bullpen. There is also an opportunity to upgrade or strengthen the first and second base situations.With that in mind and the window to begin negotiating with outside free agents on Monday, here are nine of the top targets that the Mets should consider to strengthen their claim to a postseason spot in the upcoming campaign.9. Alec BohmWith the way that the Mets roster is currently constructed, they could use some help at first base and another right-handed bat. Could the club pry away Bohm from their nearest rivals? It could be worth a discussion.This past season, Bohm slashed .249/.315/.383 with 15 home runs, 88 RBI, 29 doubles and 59 runs. It snapped a run of four straight seasons with at least a .713 OPS. While Bohm has spent the majority of his time at third base, he has first base experience and a proven track record of producing with runners in scoring position.8. Nick MartinezMartinez is one of the players who helped their free agent case the most over the course of the 2026 season. In his first and only season with the Rays, the 36-year-old right-hander earned his first All-Star selection while finishing 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings.Martinez's pitchability is what makes him an intriguing asset, and he's coming off a campaign where he proved he could hang in the top of the rotation on the Rays' path to the World Series. He's a widely-respected clubhouse presence and has ties to New York as a Fordham University product. 7. David BednarAfter the Mets front office emptied the cupboards of the club's relief unit during the 2026 season, it will need to retool its bullpen, particularly in the late innings, if it hopes to compete for a playoff spot in 2027. Bednar would be a major asset to that end after proving he could handle the pressure of pitching in New York over the last two seasons.The 32-year-old right-hander notched 35 saves while registering a 2.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 69⅓ innings for the Yankees in 2026. He would provide a valuable security blanket alongside Devin Williams.6. Ty FranceOne year after watching Pete Alonso walk out the door and head to the Orioles, the Mets still have a need at first base after the experiment with Jorge Polanco left questions and Mark Vientos failed to live up to expectations. One of the promising developments was provided by Jared Young, who posted a .759 OPS in his first major action. The left-handed-hitter batted .275 against righties and .228 against lefties, leaving room for improvement at the position.The right-handed-hitting France is coming off a career year with the Padres as he slashed .295/.363/.502 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI and 59 runs. He had a Gold Glove at the position in 2025 and two other seasons with an OPS above .800 in his career.5. Adrian MorejonAmong the high-leverage relievers on the market, Morejon might be the most exciting option.Across 211 appearances in the last three seasons, the 27-year-old left-hander has managed a 2.58 ERA with 248 strikeouts in 223⅓ innings. The Mets could use some left-handed help in the bullpen despite a strong opening impression from Nate Lavender, who figures to stick around, and Jefry Yan and Cionel Perez, who are on the periphery.Morejon has one of the most explosive arsenals of any reliever in baseball, including a 99.3 mph fastball, 92.1 mph changeup and 89.4 mph slider. However, there might be a team that seeks Morejon's services as a starter, which would drive his cost skyward.4. Clay HolmesHolmes owes his successful transition back to a starting pitcher to the Mets, who gave him a three-year, $38 million contract to switch boroughs ahead of 2025. That deal included a player option for 2027, which Holmes declined after exceeding expectations as a starter.This past season saw Holmes begin with the Mets and work through a fractured fibula before being traded to the Cubs. The veteran finished 6-8 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 101⅓ innings.Holmes enjoyed his time in Flushing but fell victim to their sell-off in the midst of 2026's massive disappointment. The Mets could welcome him back as an option in one of the top three spots in their rotation. 3. Teruaki SatoIn the last three seasons alone, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball has produced a number of coveted free agents, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto. The 27-year-old Sato, who has been reportedly posted by the Hanshin Tigers, is the latest Japanese player to come overseas and command plenty of offseason attention.Sato, who played predominantly third base last season, won the Central League's Triple Crown last season, batting .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBI. He won the league's MVP one season earlier when he led the league in home runs (40), RBI (102) and runs (83).If the Mets were to make a push for Sato, they could move Bo Bichette to second base or try a move to first base where Sato has not spent much time. The offensive boost could be worth the defensive shakeup.2. Michael KingThe 31-year-old right-hander is one of the many recent success stories of major league relief pitchers who have made seamless transitions to the starting rotation. This past season with the Padres, King made a career-high 32 starts, posting a 12-10 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 159 strikeouts in 185 innings. King might be the best free agent not named Tarik Skubal this offseason, and while he does not bring the same ceiling, he would instantly raise the level of the Mets' rotation. On top of that, King would not shy away from the pressure of pitching in New York after spending his first five seasons in the Bronx as a member of the Yankees.1. Tarik SkubalThe Mets might have an ace-in-waiting in Nolan McLean, but if they hope to return to the postseason, they are going to need more firepower atop their rotation.Skubal would provide the most sure thing the Mets have had leading their starting rotation since Jacob deGrom left for Texas. Skubal, who was dealt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline after seven seasons with the Tigers, carries a pair of AL Cy Young awards and two All-Star selections with him into a massive payday.Over the last three seasons, the 29-year-old left-hander is 43-17 with a 2.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 655 strikeouts in 546 innings. While the southpaw is a bonafide ace, some caution might need to be exercised at the negotiating table, as he has some miles on his arm. He had arthroscopic elbow surgery last season, flexor tendon surgery in 2022 and Tommy John surgery in 2017.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets free agency is here. We rank their 9 best targets for 2027