Mets Roundup, Nov 5: Benge's Rookie Bid, Stearns' Impact, Holmes Free Agency

[Grand Central Mets]

Here is some of the latest Mets analysis from around the internet. The roundup covers Benge's ROY bid, Stearns' challenges, Clay Holmes' free agency, the Mets' pursuit of Skubal, regraded trade deals, and a look at international prospect Kaima Taira.

• Benge earns ROY finalist nod after all-around standout debut (MLB.com). Notes that Benge is a NL Rookie of the Year finalist with 4.3 bWAR, 20 homers, 20 steals, and a .302/.366/.462 slash line, competing with Stewart (32 HR, 112 RBI) and Wetherholt (17 HR, 14 steals, .704 OPS).
• Entering year 4 as Mets' POBO, Stearns faces crucial offseason ahead (MLB.com). Notes the challenges David Stearns faces as the Mets' president of baseball operations entering his fourth season, highlighting his past successes with the Brewers, including acquiring Christian Yelich and implementing a roster-churning strategy, and his struggles in New York, where the Mets have failed to sustain success despite significant payroll investments and roster changes.
• Clay Holmes opts for MLB free agency — is a Mets reunion next? (New York Post $$$). Notes that Clay Holmes, after declining his 2027 player option, is entering free agency and could reunite with the Mets, citing his 2.39 ERA in nine starts for the team in 2025 and the Mets' potential pursuit of starting pitching this winter.
• Mets in middle of Tarik Skubal feeding frenzy with big-money rival staring them in face (New York Post $$$). Notes that the Mets are likely to lose their bid for Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers, citing their 0-for-4 record in recent one-on-one free agent battles, and highlights that three of the last four high-profile signings by the Dodgers underperformed or were released.
• Re-grading every NY Mets trade deadline deal from this past summer (Rising Apple). Regrades every New York Mets trade deadline deal from the previous summer, noting changes in perception based on player performance; highlights David Peterson for Cole Mathis (A-), A.J. Minter for Billy Amick and Bruin Agbayani (B+), and Freddy Peralta for Emilien Pitre, Aidan Smith, and Gary Gill Hill (B).
• Mets International Free Agent Profile: Kaima Taira (Amazin' Avenue). Profiles Kaima Taira, a 5'8" Japanese pitcher who rose from a vocational high school to become a star in NPB, noting his transition from reliever to starter, his 99 MPH fastball, and his 2022 Relief Pitcher of the Year award, 2025 league-leading saves, and 2026 ERA title.