The New York Mets tried to make a big move at the recent GM meetings in Las Vegas, but the St. Louis Cardinals shut the door on any deal involving first baseman Alec Burleson. According to a report, the Mets checked in on the 26-year-old, hoping to find a solution after losing Pete Alonso to free agency. The Cardinals, however, have shown zero inclination to trade a player who led all of baseball with 116 runs batted in during the 2026 season.
It is a bold stance by St. Louis, especially since they rejected a potential deal last December that would have sent Willson Contreras to the Big Apple. The Mets were unwilling to meet the asking price of multiple highly ranked prospects, and now they are left looking for other options. The Cardinals know exactly what they have in Burleson, who became the first player in 55 years to lead the league in RBI while playing his first full season at the position. He also smacked 37 doubles and 26 homers, proving he is a key part of their future.
The Cost of Doing Business
Leaving a player like Burleson on the roster makes financial sense for St. Louis, even as his salary rises. His 2027 earnings are projected to reach approximately $8.3 million, representing a $5 million increase over his 2026 pay. The team holds salary control over him through 2028, giving them a clear window to lock him up long-term. A deal similar to the eight-year, $132 million extension given to rookie JJ Wetherholt could be on the table soon. Burleson has said repeatedly that he wants to be a building block for the franchise, making a long-term fit likely.
The Mets need to find a new first baseman quickly, but they cannot force a trade where the other side sees no value. The Cardinals are not desperate to sell, and they have the leverage to demand a massive return that New York might not want to give up. With the lockout set to start on Dec. 1, the window for major moves is shrinking fast. Although the Mets met with multiple candidates, Ty France has become a leading option for a platoon role. But the failure to land Burleson leaves a hole that will be hard to fill without spending big in free agency.
A Different Path for New York
While the first base search continues, the Mets are also focusing their energy on the pitching market. While Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the team is minimizing their likelihood of signing Tarik Skubal, rival clubs think they may prove to be the Los Angeles Dodgers’ toughest challenge for his services. After surrendering the seventh-most earned runs in baseball this season, the Mets face a clear need for another high-end starter and possess the financial resources to pursue him.
Meetings with Skubal are scheduled in New York next week, and the outcome could define the rest of the offseason. If the Mets miss out on both Burleson and Skubal, they will need to pivot quickly to other targets like Alec Bohm or Ty France. The Cardinals’ refusal to deal Burleson forces New York to look elsewhere, but the market for bats is thin. The Mets must decide if they want to trade for a veteran or sign a free agent before the season begins. Whether the Dodgers can keep Skubal or if a rival can make a better offer should become clearer in the upcoming meetings.
