2024-10-21 21:30:03
In a season where the goal was simply to reach the playoffs, the New York Mets did one better by coming within two wins of reaching the 2024 World Series.
Their journey ended with a 10-5 loss to the Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. But the run also opened up many possibilities for the Mets’ franchise in the near future.
“Obviously it stinks because you want to keep going, but I just told the guys how proud I was because of not only we became a really good team, we became a family,” manager Carlos Mendoza said late Sunday night. “And now we raised the bar. Expectations now, this is what we should strive for every year, to be playing deep into October. And we showed that this year.”
COLUMN:How the Mets’ 2024 season will be remembered for its awe-inspiring run
It will be a busy offseason for a team built on prove-it deals. Most of those players, including Sean Manaea and Luis Severino, well exceeded expectations to help the Mets achieve unforeseen heights.
As the Mets’ season comes to an end, here are the biggest questions facing the team entering the offseason:
Will Pete Alonso re-sign with Mets?
It is the biggest question for the Mets, but it will also send ripples throughout the baseball landscape.
Pete Alonso is set to become an unrestricted free agent once the season ends after making $20.5 million in his final season of arbitration in 2024.
The Mets are the only team Alonso has known since he was drafted out of the University of Florida in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. If Alonso stays, he has the chance to be one of the all-time greats in the history of the franchise. He is already third all-time with 226 home runs and sixth with 586 RBI.
How much stock do the Mets put in Alonso’s career tenure with the team? In a contract year, he posted one of his worst seasons with a .240/.329/.459 slash line with 34 home runs, 88 RBI, 31 doubles and 172 strikeouts. But he rose up in the playoffs and delivered some of the most memorable home runs in team history.
Alonso hired Scott Boras, who squeezes all he can for his clients, but first basemen have not traditionally received the same money as other positions of value. He loves New York, but will that affinity outweigh a massive payday?
How will Mets bolster the starting rotation?
When David Stearns came on board as the Mets’ new president of baseball operations, he methodically filled in the gaps on the team’s roster with short-term options that would help provide some financial flexibility into the future.
That meant some gambles in bringing in Severino and Manaea. Severino had dealt with injuries since 2019 while Manaea was trying to reassert himself as a dependable starter following a season split between the rotation and bullpen with the Giants.
Both of those pitchers far exceeded their expectations, with Severino going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings, and Manaea becoming the Mets’ ace with a 12-6 record, 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181.2 innings. Jose Quintana, who was in his last season of his deal, was steady down the stretch.
Severino is an unrestricted free agent, and Manaea has a $13.5 million player option that he is likely to decline.
They will need another top-of-the-rotation arm if they plan on continuing to contend. On the books for next season, the Mets have Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill and Jose Butto.
Will Mets try to sign Juan Soto or other big-time free agents?
As the 2024 season draws to a close, a number of big contracts are coming off the books for the Mets. Notably, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, who were owed a combined $57.1 million this season, will no longer get a pay check.
According to FanGraphs, the Mets’ existing payroll is estimated to be around $160.7 million heading into free agency. Some notable arbitration eligible players are Blackburn, Peterson, Tyrone Taylor and Luis Torrens.
With some wiggle room financially, will Steve Cohen open the check book for some of the biggest free agents in this cycle? The biggest name is Juan Soto, who, at 25 years old, is due for a massive payday to rival that of Shohei Ohtani, who received 10 years, $700 million from the Dodgers.
The biggest name on the pitching side is Corbin Burnes, who was acquired by the Orioles for some big-time prospect capital. He is expected to get the biggest deal on the pitching side.
How good can Mets’ young talent be in 2025?
Mark Vientos made a massive splash during the 2024 season.
After some uncertainty about how Vientos would fare at third base, he rose to the task and became one of the Mets’ most valuable hitters in 2024, posting an .837 OPS with 27 home runs, 71 RBI, 22 doubles and 58 runs. But where does that leave Brett Baty, who saw time at second base and the outfield at Triple-A Syracuse, next season?
Luisangel Acuña made a stunning late-season debut for the Mets following an injury to Jeff McNeil and flashed some promise by going 12-for-39 (.308), with three home runs, six RBI and six runs in 12 games. He made the playoff roster and saw time at second base, but is he truly ready for a regular role.
The Mets’ other top two prospects, Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert, dealt with injury-riddled campaigns in the minor league system. Meanwhile, Brandon Sproat surged onto the scene to grab Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors, rising to Triple-A Syracuse.
Ronny Mauricio, who showed off his explosive power during his 2023 debut, is set to return from an ACL injury next season.
With plenty of young talent at the minor-league levels, spring training should be an exciting time for the Mets heading into 2025.
Who will be in the Mets’ outfield?
With Bader slated to head back into free agency, the Mets have Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte and Taylor under team control for 2025.
After working through a bone bruise in his knee late, Marte had a strong 2024 campaign and rose up in the postseason. He had a .707 OPS with nine RBI in the playoffs. But he’ll be entering his age-36 season and has dealt with injuries the past three seasons.
Nimmo is the team’s long-term left fielder. He delivered a career-high 90 RBI this season despite a career-low .224 batting average. His durability, once a concern, has been proven in recent years, and he battled through plantar fasciitis in the playoffs.
Taylor was a pleasant surprise, playing quality defense across the outfield, and providing a much-needed spark with a .701 OPS during the season. But can he handle an everyday role moving forward?
One way or another, whether it’s through their minor leagues or free agency, expect the Mets to back up this unit in some capacity heading into 2025.
