The first two installments of our Mets free-agent outlook took on major questions facing the club this winter: Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz. Today, we’re looking at a pair of players much less likely to return in Starling Marte and Cedric Mullins. That does not mean, however, that there aren’t important things to discern from how the Mets treat the impending departures at DH and center field.

At 37 years old and after dealing with various lower-body injuries, Marte’s most productive days are behind him. However, he showed in 2025 that he can help as a role player, someone who could come off the bench and appear as a designated hitter. In the final season of his four-year, $78 million contract with the New York Mets, Marte hit nine home runs with a .745 OPS (111 OPS+) in 329 plate appearances. He played in 98 games, his highest total since 2022.

Mullins enters free agency after struggling in a major way with the Mets after the club reeled him in to be their everyday center fielder. The Mets acquired Mullins at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles for minor-league pitchers Anthony Nunez, Raimon Gómez and Chandler Marsh. With the Mets, Mullins hit just two home runs and slashed .182/.284/.281 in 143 plate appearances. His defense was mediocre. By the end of the season, he lost a starting job.

The drop in production came after Mullins hit 15 home runs and slashed .229/.305/.433 (355 plate appearances) with the Orioles, the only major-league team he had played for before the trade. An eight-year veteran entering his age-31 season, Mullins is hoping teams favor his speed, defense and track record despite his failed two-month stint with the Mets. For his career, Mullins owns a .736 OPS (105 OPS-plus).

Needs in 2026 and beyond

At a minimum, the Mets need a center fielder for the short term. Tyrone Taylor profiles as more of a role player; he was unable to run with the position in 2025, which forced the Mets to try Jeff McNeil and trade for Mullins. The Mets value defense in center field. Mets officials might operate this offseason with the thought that Carson Benge or Jett Williams could help them at some point in 2026 at center field, but neither player is likely to make the Opening Day roster. And both players need to first perform well in Triple A.

Even in a season that raised questions about the club’s mix of personalities, Mets officials appreciated Marte’s leadership in the clubhouse. In that sense, he would be tough to replace. But he logged only a dozen games in the outfield, appearing at both corner spots. At this point in his career, he is a DH option, particularly against left-handed pitchers, and a pinch hitter. The Mets’ bench isn’t overflowing with options, but they have a logjam of young players, including Mark Vientos, whom they need to sort through first. Also, Alonso’s free agency impacts the rest of the roster configuration.

The external options

The good news for the Mets is that, given those prospects in the system, they don’t need to find a long-term center fielder this winter. Because you do not find a long-term center fielder in free agency.

Harrison Bader, Trent Grisham and, if you squint, Cody Bellinger lead the market this winter. After a couple of one-year deals, Bader has a better chance of securing a multiyear deal this winter, and he’s still good enough in center to imagine him sticking there for two to three seasons. Grisham and Bellinger had really nice years in the Bronx, though Grisham took a large step back defensively and Bellinger hasn’t played center regularly since 2022. Luis Robert Jr. could be an option, too, either if his option is declined by the Chicago White Sox or on the trade market.

Other options in a trade could include the Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton, Boston Red Sox’s Jarren Duran, Toronto Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho or Myles Straw, Houston Astros’ Jake Meyers, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas or Jake McCarthy, St. Louis Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar or Tampa Bay Rays’ Jake Mangum.

There is of course more flexibility in how you replace a DH. In each of David Stearns’ first two seasons with the club, the Mets have essentially planned for a settled DH: J.D. Martinez in 2024 and the platoon of Marte and Jesse Winker this past season. If the Mets want to stick with that kind of alignment, re-signing Alonso (to be a primary DH) would be the simplest play. Alternatively, Kyle Schwarber leads the DH market, with Marcell Ozuna and Miguel Andujar options from the right side. If the Mets wanted to bring in another corner outfielder who could also DH, they could look at Mike Yastrzemski, Max Kepler and Michael Conforto from the left side and Austin Hays, Rob Refsnyder and Lane Thomas as right-handed hitters.

Other teams in the markets

With Grisham and Bellinger likely becoming free agents, the New York Yankees will need a center fielder. The Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels finished at the bottom of the league in WAR at the position, the former for lack of offense, the latter for lack of defense. Plenty of other teams could upgrade in center, like the Philadelphia Phillies, the Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants.

The Phillies figure to spend big in the DH market, for Schwarber or for a replacement. The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners are other returning postseason teams with openings at the position. The Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies and Minnesota could all use some offensive help there as well.

Projected salary

Mullins is probably looking at a one-year deal in the range of $9 million to $10 million. Marte should be in the range of one year and $5 million.

What should be the Mets’ level of interest?

For Marte, tepid, though not with the door totally closed. Marte adapted admirably to a part-time role: Not only did he produce, but he also didn’t utter one public complaint when his playing time lessened for stretches during the season. However, the Mets could use a more athletic outfield option, and there are better ways for them to maximize production from their DH.

For Mullins, as Seymour Skinner once said, “If life has taught me one lesson, it’s to know when I’m beaten.” Mullins didn’t work out for the Mets, and the Mets didn’t work out for Mullins. Even if you’re thinking it went so poorly he could become a bargain, there’d be too much baggage with the home fan base to overcome early in the season.