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NEW YORK — The New York Mets have plenty of reasons to celebrate after an impressive season that caught many off guard.
Despite the excitement, reality sets in as the future regarding Pete Alonso remains uncertain, and the team faces numerous priorities this offseason.
With around a dozen free agents to consider replacing—including Alonso—New York’s pitching roster is looking precarious at the moment.
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor noted, “We might look extremely different.”
On the positive side, the Mets have a financially robust owner, a strong core consisting of players with playoff pedigree, and potentially over $100 million shedding from their budget as they aim to capitalize on their surprising journey to the National League Championship Series.
“We have everybody we need to make this work and finish the job,” said outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
Initially regarded as a transitioning year under rookie manager Carlos Mendoza and first-year president of baseball operations David Stearns—with a somewhat distant focus on 2025—the Mets turned their season around from a 22-33 record to a thrilling postseason that ended just two wins shy of the World Series with a Game 6 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York made a series of remarkable comebacks under pressure and delivered critical home runs, creating cherished memories for fans and players alike.
“We became a family. And now we raised the bar,” Mendoza shared following the series. “Expectations now, this is what we should strive for every year, to be playing deep into October.”
For that to happen, owner Steve Cohen will need to address several gaps in the team roster.
The spotlight is on Alonso, the All-Star first baseman drafted by the Mets in 2016, who ranks third in franchise history for home runs with 226 in just six seasons—one of which was impacted by the pandemic.
Alonso managed to play all 175 games this past year and shone in October, blasting two crucial three-run homers in elimination matches and concluding the postseason with four homers, 10 RBIs, and a .999 OPS.
“I want more moments like this,” Alonso stated. “I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish here. I feel like I laid it out there every day.”
Turning 30 in December, Alonso is represented by the well-known agent Scott Boras, who routinely explores the market for his high-profile clients.
While it’s challenging to predict what sort of contract Alonso could fetch this offseason, he appears to be a prime target for several teams—such as the Astros, Cubs, Giants, Nationals, Red Sox, and Yankees.
Cohen and the Mets might also turn their attention toward a larger free agent, outfielder Juan Soto, or they could opt to keep Alonso, mirroring past retainments like Nimmo and closer Edwin Díaz after the 2022 playoffs.
If Alonso does exit, the Mets could shift young power hitter Mark Vientos from third base to first and provide Brett Baty with another chance at third.
Touted prospect Ronny Mauricio, who debuted in 2023 but missed the rest of the season due to a knee injury, may also figure into the plans.
New York is seeking a designated hitter, with Jesse Winker and J.D. Martinez both set to hit free agency. Rookie Luisangel Acuña could contend for significant playing time at second base where Jeff McNeil had a less than stellar season, as well as in center field, where Tyrone Taylor is arbitration-eligible and Harrison Bader is once again a free agent.
The bullpen faces a major overhaul to support Edwin Díaz, while the late-season rotation might see returns only for David Peterson and Tylor Megill. Kodai Senga, who was expected to be the ace this season, aims to regain his All-Star form after being limited to just a little over ten innings due to multiple injuries.
“This year has been a frustrating year,” said Senga via a translator. “This offseason I’ll have to look at a lot of things one by one, because post-rehab coming back, things just didn’t click the same way. In order to get my performance back up, I have to address everything carefully over the offseason.”
Sean Manaea, who emerged as the ace during the season’s second half, expressed deep pride in his team during a farewell interview following the series loss.
However, he appears likely to decline a $13.5 million player option for 2025, making him one of several significant free agents along with Luis Severino and Jose Quintana, who collectively contributed to 94 starts in the regular season along with ten in the playoffs.
Lindor reflected on the situation, saying, “If I was an agent, I would be very happy. They made themselves a lot of money. As a teammate, it’s tough thinking about their futures. They’re my brothers, and I wish them all the best.”
Jose Buttó, who transitioned from starting to a key reliever this season, may revert back to a starting role.
Christian Scott, a top pitching prospect, is anticipated to miss the following season due to Tommy John surgery, leaving Brandon Sproat as one of the few highly regarded arms in the upper-level farm system.
Despite these challenges, Stearns has shown skill at assembling quality pitching rotations, evidenced by the current Mets roster and his previous work leading the Brewers.
Potential top-tier starters available in free agency include Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Blake Snell.
Lindor emphasized the team’s culture, stating, “If you come here to this organization, you’ve got to work. You’ve got to respect everybody, and you’re going to be held accountable for every action.”
In the wake of Cohen’s acquisition of the Mets from the Wilpon family, New York boasted a notable $332 million payroll and is set to incur a $96 million luxury tax.
Cohen’s strategy has taken inspiration from the Dodgers, a constant competitor in a significant media market with a high budget but capable of managing a robust farm system to navigate injuries.
In the National League Championship Series, the determined Mets faced injury-plagued Dodgers but were outperformed, suffering four heavy losses in six games and an overall deficit of 46-26 in runs, alongside setting a postseason record with 42 walks allowed.
Mendoza outlined the team’s ambitions, stating, “That should be our goal — not only to be like them, but better than them. We’ve got work to do.”
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