Mets Make Quiet Moves: Behind the Scenes Talks with Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks Could Signal a Game-Changer

As the 2025-26 MLB offseason heats up, the Mets find themselves weaving through a maze of free agency chatter and trade maneuvers, aiming to bolster both their bullpen and starting rotation. While their efforts to lock down Edwin Diaz continue to take center stage, whispers about courting high-caliber relief pitchers like Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks have surfaced, signaling the team’s deeper pursuit of bullpen stability. On the flip side, the pitching market’s shifting landscape hit a snag with Dylan Cease’s massive seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays, narrowing the Mets’ rotation options—but the hunt for arms certainly isn’t over. Names like Michael King, Ranger Suarez, and Japan’s rising star Tatsuya Imai are still in the mix, even as the team appears to steer clear of certain free agents. Meanwhile, discussions around veteran starter Kodai Senga hint at potential trade opportunities, despite some recent injury woes and uneven performances. Dive into the latest Mets offseason buzz to get a real sense of where this team is headed, how they’re navigating the complex pitching marketplace, and what moves might be around the corner. LEARN MORE

Here’s the latest Mets free agency and trade buzz during the 2025-26 MLB offseason…

Nov. 26, 7:45 p.m.

While the Mets look to re-sign Edwin Diaz this winter, the team is reportedly checking in on other back-end bullpen pieces.

According to the NY Post, the Mets have talked with representatives for Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks.

Suarez, of course, was the Padres’ closer the last two seasons, including a 40-save effort in 2025. He’s a back-to-back All-Star and pitched to a 2.97 ERA across 70 appearances this past season.

Fairbanks pitched to a 2.83 ERA and converted 27 saves across 61 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025.

Nov. 26, 6:25 p.m.

The Mets have one less potential starting pitching target on the board after Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple reports.

Cease is coming off a relatively down year, pitching to an 8-12 record and a 4.55 ERA across 32 starts. His strikeout rate was still very high (11.5) but the right-hander will look to help Toronto get back to the World Series.

As for the Mets, there are still plenty of free agent and trade targets for the team to target. While Framber Valdez doesn’t seem to be on their radar, Michael King, Ranger Suarez and Japanese star Tatsuya Imai are still available.

Nov. 20, 5:53 p.m.

While the Mets are undoubtedly looking to rebuild their starting rotation, it doesn’t seem like free agent Framber Valdez is near the top of their wish list.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Mets Hot Stove, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that the Mets were not among the teams that met with the southpaw at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas.

Martino notes that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns prefers to develop his own ace-level pitchers in-house and does not typically spend huge money for top-of-the-rotation starters, though Stearns could be flexible on that point. At 32, Valdez is likely looking for a lucrative multiyear contract.

Valdez is a two-time All-Star with the Astros and has pitched to a career 3.36 ERA, but he also seemed to intentionally cross up his catcher in September to hit him with a pitch, which raised some red flags.

Nov. 10, 4:26 p.m.

While the Mets are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching this offseason, one of their current rotation arms is already receiving some outside interest.

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, right-hander Kodai Senga is considered a buy-low trade target among some teams, although it’s unclear if the Mets are legitimately open to moving him.

The report also notes that Senga’s contract no longer includes a full no-trade clause — he can now block deals to only 10 clubs.

The 2025 season was a confounding tale of two halves for Senga, who resembled an ace for the Mets through June and ultimately lost a big-league roster spot by September. In between his peaks and valleys was a summer hamstring injury that required rehab starts and caused mechanical headaches.

Still, he posted a solid 3.02 ERA with 109 strikeouts across 22 outings (113.1 innings).

There’s reason to believe that Senga can re-channel that Cy Young-caliber version of himself, and his contract is by no means an albatross to the reported suitors. The 32-year-old is set to make just $28 million combined over the next two seasons, with a club option for 2028.

Since joining the majors from Japan in 2023, Senga owns a career 3.00 ERA with 209 strikeouts over 52 starts (285 innings). He also placed top 10 in NL Cy Young voting as a Rookie of the Year runner-up.