Mets Predicted to Win National League Pennant After Missing Playoffs

MLB insider believes the Mets have the best pitching depth in baseball heading into the 2026 season.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:48pm

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The New York Mets had a frustrating 2025 season, missing the playoffs due to a lack of starting pitching depth. However, the team made significant roster moves this offseason, and one MLB insider believes the Mets now have the best pitching depth in baseball, predicting they will win the National League pennant in 2026.

Why it matters

The Mets' ability to improve their pitching depth could be the key to returning to the playoffs and potentially winning the National League after missing out in 2025. Strong pitching is often the foundation of championship teams, and the Mets' offseason moves appear to have addressed this need.

The details

The Mets added several new starting pitchers this offseason, including Sean Manaea and Freddy Peralta, to bolster their rotation depth. While Manaea may not be throwing as hard as he once did, the Mets are not overly concerned. The team is also hopeful that Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean can make meaningful contributions to the pitching staff. According to MLB insider Eno Sarris, the Mets' pitching depth is among the best in the National League, second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

  • The Mets missed the playoffs in the 2025 season.

The players

David Stearns

The Mets' front office executive who helped oversee the team's roster overhaul this offseason.

Steve Cohen

The owner of the New York Mets who has invested heavily in improving the team's roster.

Eno Sarris

An MLB insider who predicted the Mets will win the National League pennant in 2026.

Sean Manaea

A new starting pitcher the Mets acquired this offseason, though his throwing velocity has reportedly declined.

Freddy Peralta

The new ace of the Mets' starting rotation.

Clay Holmes

A Mets pitcher the team is hoping can take a step forward in 2026.

Nolan McLean

A Mets pitcher expected to make meaningful contributions to the team's pitching staff in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“At the beginning of any season, the instinct is to look at Opening Day starters and the first five in a rotation and debate the relative strengths of each rotation based on those five pitchers. But a sixth starter throws, on average, more than 100 innings. Teams use around 10 starters to get through the season, on average. Those depth innings matter a lot. And the New York Mets might have the best pitching depth in baseball.”

— Eno Sarris, MLB Insider

What’s next

The Mets will look to prove Sarris' prediction correct when the 2026 MLB season begins.

The takeaway

The Mets' offseason moves to improve their pitching depth could be the key to the team returning to the playoffs and potentially winning the National League pennant in 2026 after missing out in 2025.