The New York Mets’ 2024 season was a thrilling success, with the team within two games of a World Series appearance.
With nearly $200 million in payroll set to be eliminated, the offseason promises significant changes.
This guide explores the Mets’ free agents, potential trade targets, and the offseason moves they need to make to strengthen their 2025 roster.
- The Mets’ nearly $200 million payroll reduction gives them major flexibility to reshape the team.
- Pete Alonso’s future with the Mets is uncertain. He’s expected to explore free agency, and several teams have shown interest.
- The Mets’ top priority will be upgrading their pitching and filling crucial gaps at first base and outfield.
Recap of the 2024 Season
The New York Mets’ 2024 season was nothing short of dramatic.
What started as a problematic, frustrating year quickly became one of the most exciting turnarounds in recent team history.
After falling 11 games below .500 in May, the Mets caught fire, finishing the season strong with a 65-40 run over the last four months.
Their journey took them all the way to the National League Championship Series (NLCS), where they fell just short of reaching the World Series and lost in Game 6 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Throughout the season, the Mets’ lineup was one of their biggest strengths.
Looking at their offensive stats, the team ranked sixth in home runs, seventh in runs scored, and ninth in OPS (on-base plus slugging).
And those numbers helped carry the team even when their pitching staff wasn’t performing at its best.
The Mets’ pitching ranked 20th in Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and 22nd in Expected FIP (xFIP), showing that their pitchers struggled with consistency, particularly in the starting rotation.
Players like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor led the charge despite these challenges.
Alonso’s clutch performances in the postseason, including a game-saving home run in the Wild Card round, were a major highlight, and Lindor’s leadership was crucial during their playoff push.
As the 2024 season fades into the rearview, the Mets face an important offseason.
With several players expected to leave in free agency and plenty of room for improvement, the team is gearing up for some major roster changes.
Areas the Mets Need to Improve in 2025
The Mets need a better rotation to go further in 2025.
While their bullpen showed promise—ranking 12th in FIP and 5th in xFIP—their starting pitchers struggled.
Even with plenty of talent in the lineup, New York’s pitchers gave up far too many free passes, ranking third-worst in walks allowed per nine innings.
Jose Quintana, in particular, had control issues, ranking 10th in walks per nine innings, while Sean Manaea wasn’t far behind at 14th.
Beyond the pitching, the Mets were average defensively, finishing 14th in outs above average.
At third base in particular, defense was an issue, though Mark Vientos showed some improvement late in the season, offering hope for better defense moving forward.
With a projected $176 million coming off the payroll, the Mets have plenty of money to address these issues.
Improving the starting rotation and adding depth to key positions like center field and first base will be essential if they want to build on the success of 2024.
Mets’ Key Free Agents: Who Could Be Leaving?
Pete Alonso is undoubtedly the biggest free agent the Mets are dealing with this offseason.
Alonso’s contract situation will be one of the Mets’ most important decisions, as he’s expected to attract interest from multiple teams.
The Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs are among the clubs reportedly eyeing Alonso.
While there’s still a chance Alonso re-signs with the Mets, it won’t be easy, as he’s likely seeking a lucrative contract.
In addition to Alonso, the Mets are facing the possible departure of several players:
- Jose Quintana: After a solid but inconsistent season, Quintana is expected to test free agency. His high walk rate could deter the Mets from bringing him back.
- Sean Manaea: Manaea has a $13.5 million player option, but he’s likely to decline it, making him another free agent to watch.
- Luis Severino: Severino was signed on a one-year deal and may not return, leaving the Mets with another gap in their starting rotation.
- Jesse Winker, JD Martinez, and Harrison Bader: These players all contributed during the season, but their contracts are up, and they’re expected to leave in free agency.
Losing Alonso and these other players would dramatically reshape the roster, but the Mets have the financial resources to bring in new talent and make upgrades where necessary.
Trade Targets and Free Agents the Mets Should Pursue
With such a large amount of money coming off the payroll, the Mets are in a great position to be active in the trade market and free agency.
Here are a few names to keep an eye on as potential targets.
Pitching Upgrades
The Mets’ most pressing need is improving their starting rotation, and they’ll have plenty of options.
- Corbin Burnes: Burnes is widely considered the top pitcher available this offseason. At 29, he’s in his prime and would be a perfect addition to the Mets’ rotation. Burnes is expected to command a large contract, but with the Mets’ financial flexibility, they’ll be in a strong position to outbid other teams.
- Blake Snell: Snell could be a backup plan if the Mets don’t land Burnes. He’s a solid left-handed pitcher with postseason experience, making him an attractive option for teams needing pitching.
- Garrett Crochet: Crochet could be a key target if the Mets look to make a trade instead of signing a free agent. The young left-hander has two years of team control left, which would make him a valuable addition to the Mets’ rotation, but it would likely cost them some top prospects to acquire him.
Outfield and First Base Solutions
If Alonso leaves, the Mets will have a big hole to fill at first base.
The outfield is another area that could use an upgrade, especially with players like Bader and Winker likely moving on.
- Luis Robert Jr.: The White Sox center fielder is a potential trade target, though his injury history raises concerns. Robert’s power makes him an attractive option if the Mets are willing to take the risk.
- Brent Rooker: The Oakland Athletics slugger would add serious power to the Mets’ lineup. Rooker hit 39 home runs in 2024, and while acquiring him would be costly, he would help fill a potential void left by Alonso’s departure.
- Juan Soto: Though Soto has been instrumental in the Yankees’ 2024 success, the Mets are still linked to him. The deal could cost around $600 million, and owner Steve Cohen seems ready to invest heavily in star power.
Key Offseason Dates to Remember
- Free Agency Begins: Right after the World Series ends, trades and negotiations will heat up.
- Winter Meetings (Dec. 9-12): This is when many major signings and trades take place. Expect the Mets to be heavily involved.
- Spring Training (Feb. 14): The Mets’ new-look roster will start to come together when pitchers and catchers report.
What Will the Mets Do? Predictions for the Offseason
The Mets will make a huge push to sign Juan Soto.
Steve Cohen loves making headlines, and adding Soto would send a message to the entire league.
But if the Yankees keep him, the Mets will switch gears.
In that case, expect them to focus heavily on Corbin Burnes and Garrett Crochet to build a dominant pitching staff.
With Alonso likely gone, they’ll also swing a trade for someone like Brent Rooker or go after a mid-tier slugger to replace some of that lost power.
The bottom line is that this offseason will be one of the most active and exciting in recent memory for the Mets.
After coming so close to the World Series in 2024, they’ll pull out all the stops to make another deep run in 2025.
