After a wild season with Mets fans on the edge of their seats, the 2024 campaign wrapped up in the National League Championship Series with a tough loss to the Dodgers.
But as Mets President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, said, it’s time to look forward.
“We have great memories from this run. It’s also time for us to begin to move forward and see what we can do to build on this to ensure we have the type of sustainable competitiveness… that’s eluded this organization for a long time.”
So, with all eyes on the offseason, let’s break down what’s hot and who could be on the move.
- The Mets need to decide whether to keep or trade their star slugger, which will shape the lineup for years to come.
- With multiple starters entering free agency, the Mets are hunting for arms—through free agency and trades.
- Rumors suggest big moves, including potential trades for top pitchers like Framber Valdez or even a reunion with Jacob deGrom, might be in store.
Pete Alonso’s Future – A Star’s Fate Hangs in the Balance
Let’s start with the big one: Pete Alonso.
Alonso has been the Mets’ reliable slugger, cranking out home runs and providing the kind of power every team dreams of.
But now, the Mets have a tough choice to make.
They can either sign Alonso to a long-term deal to keep his bat in the lineup. Alternatively, they might consider trading him for valuable players or prospects who could address other needs.
Trading Alonso might seem drastic, but it could bring back some serious talent that gives the Mets options for other parts of their lineup.
Conversely, locking him in with a big contract would mean keeping one of the league’s top sluggers.
It’s, for sure, a high-stakes decision, and fans are on the edge of their seats, wondering which way it’ll go.
Alonso isn’t the only player on the chopping block, though.
With multiple other players becoming free agents, the Mets must balance keeping what works while exploring fresh talent for their roster.
Rotation Rumors – Rebuilding the Mets’ Starting Pitching
The Mets’ starting rotation, which held up surprisingly well last season, faces a major shakeup as several key starters become free agents.
Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and José Quintana are free agents this offseason, leaving some serious gaps in the Mets’ pitching lineup.
While the team could pursue top free agents like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried, David Stearns’ track record suggests he might instead seek smart, value-added deals.
Last season, Stearns brought in Manaea and Severino without breaking the bank, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him look for a similar approach this year.
Throughout his career with the Brewers and now with the Mets, Stearns has kept things short and sweet with pitchers in free agency, sticking to contracts that run two years or less.
But the Mets don’t have to stick with free agency.
They could get creative in the trade market, and one interesting rumor is that they may acquire Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez.
Valdez is one of the league’s best lefties and had an impressive 3.12 ERA last season.
With his ability to induce ground balls, thanks to his killer sinker, he’d fit well in the Mets rotation.
According to reports, the Astros might consider moving Valdez to free up cash for other moves, so this could be the Mets’ chance to add a top-tier arm without a long-term contract.
Trading for Valdez wouldn’t come cheap—the Mets would likely have to send a top prospect (or two) to Houston.
But the Mets’ farm system is deep, and they have the resources to make a deal like this happen without crippling their future.
Plus, with owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend big, they can take on Valdez’s $17.8 million salary without worrying too much about budget constraints.
Could deGrom Make a Comeback? The Case for a Reunion
Now, here’s a rumor that a lot of fans are excited (and maybe a little nervous): a possible reunion with former Mets ace Jacob deGrom.
deGrom was the Mets’ star for years before heading to the Texas Rangers on a five-year, $185 million deal.
Unfortunately, his time in Texas hasn’t gone smoothly, as injuries have limited him to just nine games since he left New York.
However, when he returned late last season, he showed flashes of his old dominance, and there’s speculation the Rangers might consider trading him to free up some cash.
A deGrom comeback would be huge for the Mets, and it could give them the kind of elite ace they were missing in the playoffs this year.
Of course, given his recent injury history, there’s some risk, but the potential reward of having a fully healthy deGrom back in Queens could be worth it.
With several big contracts coming off the books, the Mets might have room in their budget to bring him back.
Was the Phil Maton Trade Worth It?
It’s not all about big-name trades and free agents.
Sometimes, the smaller deals can make a big difference, too, like last year’s trade for reliever Phil Maton.
The Mets picked up Maton midseason to strengthen their bullpen, and while he shined in the regular season with a 2.51 ERA over 28.2 innings, his performance during the playoffs was a bit of a mixed bag.
He struggled briefly, but his contribution was crucial to the Mets’ regular-season success.
The good news?
The Mets have a $7.75 million team option for Maton in 2025, so they can decide whether to keep him or move on.
If they believe Maton can keep up his regular-season form for a full season, it could be smart to retain him and keep that bullpen solid.
The fact that this trade only cost the Mets some cash—without giving up any prospects—makes it even sweeter.
Important Decisions for the Mets’ 2025 Season
This offseason is shaping up to be a big one for the Mets, with plenty of decisions that could make or break their 2025 season.
The Mets have plenty to consider, from deciding Alonso’s future and revamping the starting rotation to pursuing big trades, like Framber Valdez, or even a possible reunion with Jacob deGrom.
Stearns and the Mets’ front office are clearly focused on building a team that’s competitive and built to last.
With the right balance of smart spending, targeted trades, and maybe even a bit of risk-taking, they could put together a roster ready for another playoff push and, hopefully, a shot at a World Series run.
