The 2026 MLB season didn't go as either New York team planned. Here's how they can flip the script next year.

With a lockout looming on Dec. 1, the consensus across Major League Baseball is that November will be a frenetic month, similar to the lead-up to the 2021 lockout. Free agents will come off the board. Trades will be made. There will be a flurry of player movement before the league shuts down. The action, according to sources, is expected to start as soon as next week, when the industry convenes at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas. And you can expect the two New York clubs will be involved. The Yankees and Mets experienced very different versions of disappointment in 2026. The Yankees reached the postseason for the eighth time in nine years under manager Aaron Boone, only to get bounced by an American League East rival in the division series for the second straight year. The Mets, meanwhile, did not make the playoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing last in the National League East despite having one of baseball's two most expensive payrolls. Both teams will dabble in the free agent and trade markets to bolster their rosters this offseason. Here are three needs we believe each team will address to get over the hump by the time Opening Day comes around -- whenever that is. 1. Rebuild the bullpen (starting with closerDavid Bednar?) Pitching was not the problem for the Yankees in 2026. They led the majors in staff ERA by a good margin. But while they have a surplus of starters, they'll need to fill out their bullpen again this offseason. As it stands, left-handerBrent Headrickis the only reliever under team control for next season who had at least 17 appearances in 2026. That could change soon. New York extended the qualifying offer to Bednar, who has until Nov. 17 to accept the one-year, $23.15 million deal. If he declines it, the Yankees could still re-sign him with a multiyear deal. The Yankees could convert their extra starters into relievers if they don't trade from the surplus.Ryan Weathers,Clarke SchmidtandLuis Gilare all candidates for the switch. Regardless, the Yankees, who have shown an elite ability to build strong bullpens without necessarily spending top dollar, will certainly add options this offseason. 2. Add a right-handed-hitting catcher The Yankees stuck withAustin Wellsdespite his terrible start to the season at the plate, and their confidence in him eventually paid dividends: Wells posted a .784 OPS over the final two months. Still, the Yankees could use a viable right-handed-hitting catcher to pair with the left-handed-hitting Wells. Ryan Jeffers-- if he doesn't accept the qualifying offer from theMinnesota Twins-- would be the best option in free agency, but would he warrant the money the Yankees would need to spend if he's only going to be on the short side of a platoon? Jeffers could DH, but the Yankees, starting withGiancarlo Stanton, already have a logjam there.Carson KellyandTyler Stephensoncould be better options in that role at a cheaper price. Potential options on the trade market include All-StarsHunter GoodmanandShea Langeliers. TheColorado Rockies' asking price for Goodman at the trade deadline was high. The two-time All-Star could perhaps be had this winter with three controllable seasons remaining. Langeliers was also considered a trade candidate at the deadline until he tore the meniscus in his right knee in late July. But either option would require the Yankees to decide Wells is a backup, and that doesn't seem likely. 3. Solve second and third base Ryan McMahonwas one of the worst regulars in the majors last season, posting a 78 wRC+ in 124 games, while his usual elite defense at third base inexplicably regressed in his age-31 season. The Yankees could decide to replace him entirely or acquire a right-handed-hitting third baseman to split time with him.Amed Rosariofilled that role for most of the 2026 season, but the Yankees did not trust his defense, which led toJose Caballerogetting playing time there down the stretch and into the postseason against left-handed pitchers. Japanese star Teruaki Sato is the best third baseman on the free agent market, but he's not a great fit, considering scouts question his viability at third base, and he's a left-handed hitter with a huge strikeout rate. Otherwise, it's a barren free agent market for third basemen. On the trade front,Isaac ParedesandRoyce Lewiscould make sense. At second base, the Yankees, withJazz Chisholm Jr. a virtual lock to sign elsewhere, could opt to give the keys toAnthony Volpeor Caballero.Brandon LoweandLuis Arraez, two left-handed hitters, are the top free agent second basemen besides Chisholm. Former YankeeGleyber Torresis the best right-handed-hitting option available. The trade market offers intriguing potential possibilities, includingKetel Marte,CJ AbramsandXavier Edwards. All three would not be inexpensive to acquire but the Yankees have the player capital for such a move should they go that route. 1. Add starting pitching (Tarik Skubal, anyone?) The Mets have an acute need for starting pitching. They could use a frontline starter to pair withNolan McLeanand a second-tier hurler to add to a rotation that currently isn't very deep. Besides McLean, the Mets haveChristian Scott,Sean Manaea,Zac ThorntonandKodai Sengaamong their internal options under team control next season. That is not a championship-caliber group. Their wish list starts with Skubal, the best player on the free agent market by a mile. The two-time Cy Young Award winner's contract is expected to break the record for annual average and total value. The number of teams that have historically engaged in that market is limited. Of those teams, the Mets have the most glaring need for an ace. While president of baseball operations David Stearns has historically been against giving long-term deals to free agent starting pitchers in their late 20s or older, Skubal -- who turns 30 later this month -- could be the exception, with a push from owner Steve Cohen. Other options in free agency includeMichael King,Trevor Rogers,Tyler MahleandNick Pivetta. The Mets could re-signClay Holmes, who they traded at the deadline (don't expect a reunion withFreddy Peralta, the other free agent starter they dealt at the deadline). They could sign Kaima Taira or Hiromi Itoh, the top two starters coming over from Japan. Then there's the trade market, whereReid Detmers,Drew Rasmussen,George Kirby,Emerson HancockandMacKenzie Gorecould be among the players available. 2. Boost the bullpen The Mets, after moving four relievers at the trade deadline, have several questions in their bullpen beyond closerDevin Williams. Left-handerNate Lavenderand right-handerDaniel Duarteshined when given the opportunity late in the season. Right-handerAustin Warrenhad strong stretches.Tobias Myers, acquired with Peralta from theMilwaukee Brewerslast winter, has the potential.Reed Garrett, a mainstay in 2024 and 2025, is slated to return from Tommy John surgery after missing the entire 2026 season. But the Mets need to strengthen the bridge to Williams in the coming months. Building strong bullpens takes creativity. Shutdown relievers can come off the scrap heap. They could be converted starters. There is no one formula. It's on Stearns to figure it out with the ample resources available to him. 3. Find a(nother) first baseman Moving on fromPete Alonsolast offseason proved disastrous for the Mets. Instead of re-signing the fan favorite, they opted to give free agentJorge Polanco, who had never played first base in the majors, a two-year, $40 million contract. He posted a .431 OPS and minus-1.4 fWAR in just 37 games -- and just two of them at first base -- while dealing with an ankle injury that needed season-ending surgery in August. Meanwhile,Mark Vientos, another option the Mets thought could help, recorded a .652 OPS and minus-1.1 fWAR in 87 games. The good news for the Mets is that Polanco's absence and Vientos's struggles affordedJared Youngextensive playing time for the first time in his career. Young took advantage. The left-handed hitter slashed .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs and a 1.0 fWAR in 103 games. Young was significantly better against right-handed pitchers (.793 OPS) than against left-handed pitchers (.606 OPS), which means the Mets could use a righty option. Maybe that's eventually Polanco, a switch-hitter, but there's a chance he's not ready for the start of the season. Adding a right-handed-hitting first baseman to platoon with Young would mitigate the risk.