As of 5 p.m. on Monday, all of Major League Baseball’s free agents may begin negotiations with the league’s 30 teams.
The Mets have extended the one-year/$21.05 million qualifying offer to:
- 1B Pete Alonso
- LHP Sean Manaea
- RHP Luis Severino
Incoming – Moves as of 5pm Monday:
- RHP Kevin Herget claimed off waivers
- INF Luis De los Santos claimed off waivers
Free Agents:
- LHP Joey Lucchesi elected free agency
- OF DJ Stewart elected free agency
- LHP Matt Gage outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse
- RHP Phil Maton’s option declined by Mets, now free agent
Roster and Where to Fill
Mets President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, addressed the media Monday ahead of the GM Meetings in San Antonio, Texas this week. The first handful of many Mets’ transactions to come have officially kicked off free agency.
Stearns announced that the entire coaching staff will return to their respective positions for 2025 on Monday, and gave additional insight to the club’s intentions in the offseason.
“So every year is going to be different, and the formula is different every single year, the mix is different every single year,” Stearns said at the conclusion of the Mets’ season.
It’s expected that the front office will come out swinging with a heavy bat this offseason when it comes to negotiations. There are many exceptional additions to the club available in the market, with significant holes to be filled.
-Starting Rotation-
Mets Wanted
- Sean Manaea
- Luis Severino
Current Mets
- Kodai Senga
- David Peterson
- Tylor Megill
- Paul Blackburn
What to Add/Fill
- Front-load rotation (Manaea/Severino)
- At least two additional big-name arms
Not to look at this group with a lens of (too much) nostalgia, but it’s essential for the Mets to bring back Manaea and/or Severino. It’d be great to have Quintana back as well, but with an objective to front-load the rotation, Peterson and Megill might be enough on the backend to allow for heavier acquisitions like free agents Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell.
LHP Sean Manaea is expected to decline the qualifying offer, with sights set on a multi-year deal. Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts with the 2024 Mets. Amongst Met fans, Manaea is an absolute “bring back.” He’d be great on the mound from July on and is an exceptional clubhouse guy. Rally caps and emotional-support-eyeblack contributed to the 2024 magic – His job’s not done.
RHP Luis Severino can be expected to accept the qualifying offer and return to Queens if not seeking a multi-year deal. Severino went 11-7 with an ERA of 3.91 for the Mets over 182 innings last season. He showcased reliability and is multi-year-contract worthy. Another great clubhouse guy – Also participates in emotional-support-eyeblack.
-Bullpen-
Mets Wanted
- Ryne Stanek… Maybe
Current Mets
- Edwin Diaz
- Reed Garrett
- José Butto
- Dedniel Núñez
- Adam Ottavino
- Danny Young
- Dylan Covey
- Kevin Herget
What to Add/Fill
- Relievers, good ones.
(Please)
As Stearns reiterated, the formula’s always changing. The Mets could opt for strong six-inning starters and stack the relievers – Or seek strong starters to go the distance to not rely on the ‘pen as much. As per the postseason run (fresh on our minds) it’s essential to build bullpen support in the event it’s needed. Especially when the relief is running out of steam.
RHP/Reliever Ryne Stanek went 7-3 in 2024, putting up a 4.33 ERA in 55.1IP. In wake of reliever Phil Maton’s rocky outings in the postseason, Stanek emerged in the postseason through some struggles. He was not as consistent in the regular season, and struggled often. He is an arm that could be replaced.
- The Mets claimed New-Jersey Native Kevin Herget from the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Herget owns a 4.64 ERA over 24 career-games.
-Infield-
*Mets Needed*
- Pete Alonso
Mets Wanted
- (Pete Alonso)
(Mets Wanted for Morale)
- Jose Iglesias
- (Pete Alonso)
Current Mets
- Jeff McNeil (INF/OF)
- Francisco Lindor
- Luisangel Acuña
- Mark Vientos
- Luis De Los Santos
What to Add/Fill
- Utility infielder 2B/3B
- DH
- 1B of Alonso-caliber, if needed
The Mets’ infield is solid not only in the field but there are heavy bats in the lineup. Not to sound like a broken record, but Pete Alonso is a must-sign. As of Monday, Alonso has received the qualifying offer and is almost definitely going to decline – Putting him at the top of the free agency class alongside OF Juan Soto and Pitchers Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell. Not only has the Polar Bear been a pillar of the organization since his 2019 debut, but he loves playing in Queens. The guy loves the Mets, and Mets fans love him. His career stats include 226 HRs/.249 AVG/.853 OPS. Blank check for the man all day.
If Jeff McNeil wasn’t as good as he is, it’d be so great to have Jose Iglesias/Candelita back. A 22-game hit streak brings Jonah Hill’s Peter Brand front of mind as “he gets on base.” The “OMG” Mets will never be forgotten, and we’ll always have the comparative Pitbull remix.
- Monday, the Mets claimed 3B Luis De Los Santos from the Toronto Blue Jays. His career stats include .172 AVG/.467 OPS.
Considering McNeil is also useful in the OF, the Mets need to consider another utility player as well.
-Outfield/DH-
Mets Wanted
- Jesse Winker
- Tyrone Taylor
Current Mets
- Brandon Nimmo
- Starling Marte
- (Jeff McNeil)
What to Add/Fill
- Outfield fills (CF/RF)
- DH
What’s tricky about the Mets’ infield is that it’s not complete but not necessarily “too” crowded, and they’re looking to land highly-coveted free agent Juan Soto as a generational-sign. Brandon Nimmo, all-around-good-guy and most-tenured Met, is expected to be the left fielder in 2025, confirmed by David Stearns today. That of course opens up the discussion of a DH, with McNeil/Winker/Taylor/Marte as the other pieces in the outfield to play with. Mets fans also love exceptionally-clutch LF/DH Jesse Winker, and feel it’d be great to have him back. This would be a great sign for the Mets for a two-year $10-$12 million contract. Starling Marte is phenomenal in the lineup as well. Tyrone Taylor, who played well at CF in 2024 is up for arbitration. He certainly earned his spot this past season, boasting a .248 AVG/.700 OPS. It’s a no-brainer to have Taylor over Bader in the outfield.
-Upcoming Dates-
November 5th-7th
- General Managers Meeting
November 19th
- Deadline for Qualifying Offer Acceptance
- Rule 5 Draft Protection Deadline
November 22nd
- Non-tender Deadline
December 9th-12th
- Winter Meetings
