In the fierce, ever-present battle for dominance in New York baseball, the Mets and Yankees have long been bitter rivals both on the field and in the free-agent market. For years, the Yankees have been known for their deep pockets, seemingly always in the race for the biggest names in baseball. However, over the past few seasons, the Mets, particularly under the ownership of Steve Cohen, have shown an increased willingness to outbid their cross-town rivals, making significant moves in both free agency and trade markets.
As we head into the 2025 MLB offseason, the Mets may have another opportunity to beat the Yankees at their own game, with the latest free-agent target—one that could bolster their bullpen—potentially tipping the scales in favor of Queens yet again. While the Yankees have spent years positioning themselves as the favorites to land top-tier talent, the Mets’ new aggressive approach, combined with their need to improve their pitching staff, may put them in the driver’s seat for this particular player.
### The New York Bullpen Arms Race: A Constant Battle for Upgrades
One of the Mets’ most pressing needs heading into the 2025 season is bullpen improvement. The team’s bullpen has been a mix of brilliance and inconsistency, especially in high-leverage situations. While the Mets have several reliable arms in their pen, such as closer **David Robertson** and setup man **Brooks Raley**, they have struggled to find consistency behind them. The result? Unpredictable performances and blown saves that have cost the team critical games during the regular season.
On the other side of town, the Yankees have been dealing with similar issues in their bullpen. Despite having a well-established closer in **Clay Holmes** and a few reliable arms, New York has had its share of struggles with late-inning relief, especially in high-stress situations. The Yankees’ bullpen woes were apparent throughout the 2024 season, which led to their inability to make a deep playoff run despite having a powerful lineup.
This creates a highly competitive environment for any free-agent relievers available in the offseason. Both teams know the importance of a solid bullpen, and both the Mets and Yankees will be battling for arms to bolster their late-game strategy.
### The Mets’ Latest Bullpen Target: Who Could Push Them Over the Top?
As rumors swirl around possible offseason moves, the Mets have reportedly set their sights on one of the most intriguing bullpen arms available: **Josh Hader**, the elite left-handed reliever who has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant closers in baseball.
Hader, who is coming off a strong 2024 season with the San Diego Padres, has been a force in MLB for several years, known for his high strikeout rate, his fastball that touches triple digits, and his ability to lock down high-leverage situations. Over his career, Hader has posted a career ERA of 2.49, an eye-popping strikeout rate of 14.5 K/9 innings, and has established himself as one of the most feared arms in the bullpen.
The 2024 season saw Hader finish with 33 saves, a 2.56 ERA, and a 13.8 strikeout-per-nine rate, making him one of the best free-agent bullpen options available in the offseason. With Hader’s reputation as a shutdown closer, it’s no surprise that multiple teams, including both the Mets and Yankees, are reportedly interested in his services.
However, what could make this pursuit particularly interesting is the financial power and strategic moves of the Mets under owner Steve Cohen. While the Yankees have historically dominated the free-agent market, especially when it comes to acquiring high-profile players, the Mets have positioned themselves as the new financial juggernaut of New York baseball.
### Why the Mets Could Beat the Yankees for Hader
The Mets have the resources, the need, and the desire to win right now, which makes them a prime candidate to outbid the Yankees for Josh Hader’s services. Let’s break down how and why the Mets could secure this coveted bullpen arm.
#### 1. **Financial Firepower: Steve Cohen’s Willingness to Spend**
Under Steve Cohen’s ownership, the Mets have made it clear that they are willing to spend whatever it takes to win. While the Yankees still boast an enormous payroll, Cohen’s ability to spend unrestricted funds has allowed the Mets to pull off some big moves in recent years, including high-profile signings like **Max Scherzer** and **Justin Verlander**, as well as trades for players like **Francisco Lindor**.
Cohen has consistently shown that he’s not afraid to invest heavily in the team, and his willingness to commit vast sums of money to improve the roster could give the Mets an edge in the pursuit of Hader. While the Yankees are undoubtedly in the mix for Hader, Cohen’s financial flexibility could allow the Mets to offer a more lucrative deal, especially if New York is reluctant to extend their payroll even further.
#### 2. **A Need for Elite Bullpen Help**
As mentioned, the Mets’ bullpen has been a bit of a roller coaster in recent years. While they have some talented arms, the team lacks an elite closer who can confidently shut down games in high-leverage situations. Hader fits this mold perfectly.
The addition of Hader would give the Mets a dominant left-handed presence at the back end of the bullpen, providing a much-needed insurance policy for games when the starting pitching falters or when the offense is unable to extend leads. Hader’s ability to dominate hitters in the ninth inning would also help take some of the pressure off the team’s other bullpen arms, allowing for more flexibility in how manager **Buck Showalter** uses his relief corps throughout the season.
From a strategic standpoint, it makes perfect sense for the Mets to prioritize a reliever like Hader. He is one of the best at his craft, and his addition could solidify the bullpen as one of the strongest units in the National League. With their sights set on competing with teams like the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL pennant, adding Hader could be the piece that pushes the Mets to the next level.
#### 3. **The Mets’ Strong Roster Core and Immediate Championship Window**
The Mets are not in a rebuild—they’re in a win-now mode. With stars like **Pete Alonso**, **Francisco Lindor**, **Brandon Nimmo**, and **Kodai Senga** leading the charge, the Mets are looking for ways to get over the hump and compete for a World Series. Their need for bullpen depth is one of the few remaining pieces in what is otherwise a well-rounded roster. Adding a player like Hader would immediately strengthen the team’s chances of closing out games and securing crucial wins down the stretch.
With the Yankees’ roster aging, their window of contention may be slightly narrower, which could make the Mets’ financial flexibility and willingness to spend more attractive to players like Hader. While New York remains a powerhouse, the Mets have shown a clear commitment to winning in the short term, something that could influence Hader’s decision.
#### 4. **The Yankees’ Recent Pen and Financial Concerns**
While the Yankees have a long track record of spending big, they’ve also been under pressure to rein in spending in recent years, particularly after some high-profile free-agent signings haven’t panned out. Their bullpen has been inconsistent, but they may not be as motivated to throw a large sum of money at another reliever, especially with other areas of their roster needing attention, such as the starting rotation and outfield depth.
Additionally, with a few key players potentially hitting free agency (like **Aaron Judge** and **Gerrit Cole** down the line), the Yankees may be less inclined to go all-in on a bullpen arm when their long-term financial commitments need to be carefully considered. This could give the Mets an upper hand in negotiations, especially if Hader is looking for a big payday.
### Conclusion: Mets Positioned to Win the Free Agency Battle
As the 2025 MLB offseason approaches, the Mets have an excellent chance to beat the Yankees once again in free agency, this time for one of the most coveted bullpen arms on the market: Josh Hader. With their financial flexibility, a clear need for bullpen reinforcements, and a win-now mentality, the Mets are primed to make a strong push for Hader’s services.
Though the Yankees will undoubtedly be in the mix, the Mets’ aggressive pursuit of high-impact players, combined with Steve Cohen’s willingness to open his checkbook, could make the difference. For Mets fans, the prospect of seeing a dominant closer like Hader in Queens—and the potential to leapfrog the Yankees in free agency once again—is an exciting possibility that could dramatically improve their chances of competing for a championship in 2025.