The Framework is Set, but Flushing Isn’t Finished Yet
Rumored trades and shock signings have cooled down since the holidays, giving baseball fans’ thumbs a much-needed break from incessant refreshing and scrolling on X. Even with (thankfully) less than two months until Spring Training, this baseball offseason is far from over.
Since the conclusion of the 2024 season, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and President of Baseball Operations David Stearns have made significant moves to address various roster gaps. They’ve signed slugging superstar outfielder Juan Soto and left-handed favorite Sean Manaea for extended stays. The front office has also added outfielder Jose Siri, expected starter Clay Holmes, right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, and several minor league deals for 40-man roster support.
What Else is on the Menu?
In a recent article, ESPN’s Jeff Passan outlined the remaining objectives for the Mets this offseason,
“The Mets are still talking about adding an outfielder. And relievers. And a starter. The Winter of Soto is still cooking.”
The offseason menu still has some must-orders: a power-hitting first baseman, another front-end starter to solidify the rotation, setup bullpen arm(s) to shut it down late, and an on-demand DH to bolster the lineup.
First Baseman
Multiple insiders have reported reasons behind a stall in clubs moving beyond “talks” with first baseman Pete Alonso, with the number of years seemingly being the hangup. Other teams positioned to fill the same slot have already signed then-available free agents or made trades. Paul Goldschmidt went to the Yankees, the Astros nabbed Christian Walker, and Carlos Santana returned to the Guardians; Josh Naylor and Nathaniel Lowe were traded to the Diamondbacks and Nationals, respectively. While more variety has been reported regarding potential landing spots for Alonso–the Giants, Mariners, etc.—it’s still a high likelihood that the Polar Bear will return to Flushing.
Not that there’s any shortage of cash in Queens (with Stearns confirming the club has the “resources” to get it done), but it’s been a smart financial move on Cohen/Stearns to let the market cool, allowing for those previous signings to set the tone for a potential offer; anything higher in monetary value or longer in term length is then incentivized. Currently, the remaining options available don’t quite match “Polar Bear Power,” nor are they cost-effective. The most viable backup plan in the event Alonso signs elsewhere would be moving Mark Vientos to first and adding third baseman free agent Alex Bregman—but he’s the same age and is in the market for a contract of even higher value for the same (if not more) length of time that Alonso is.
Regarding a restructured projection for Alonso, the seven-year/$158 million he’d rejected in 2023 isn’t comparable to what could be on the table this offseason. “At this point, Alonso will almost certainly get an opt-out-laden short-term deal,” Passan wrote. This would allow the slugger to try his luck at the free-agent market in the coming years. Still, he’d be positioned alongside a similar first baseman class, and stellar performances on both sides of the game would make him even more attractive to prospective clubs.
Another Starter
The Mets need to go all-in on Roki Sasaki. Pitching to a 2.35 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 111 innings last season are figures of a 23-year-old MLB phenom in the making. Frontloading the rotation with ace Kodai Senga and Sasaki is a nasty 1-2 punch, but coupled with Sean Manaea and David Peterson, you’ve got a mix of fire, finesse, and depth. Manaea bounced back strong, having settled nicely into an ace role with solid peripherals last year, showing that he can eat innings and keep the team in games. Peterson had ups and downs, but the potential (as seen in the postseason) is there—with the right support, and he’s another solid lefty option. Sasaki’s heat and skill would elevate the entire staff. Pairing him with Senga gives the Mets two flamethrowers, with Manaea and Peterson rounding out the rotation for a lethal mix.
Bullpen Arms
While the lineup and rotation have been significantly upgraded, the bullpen still requires attention. High-end relievers like Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, and David Robertson are still available in free agency. Proven arms would provide the necessary depth and reliability for late-game situations. Of the listed above, the Mets should go after Scott and/or Hoffman. Both have been lights out in the bullpen, and their numbers don’t lie. With 22 saves, Scott posted a 1.75 ERA with 84 Ks over 72 innings last season. Likewise, Hoffman dealt 89 Ks and pitched to a 2.17 ERA over 66.1 innings, with 10 saves and a sub 1.00 WHIP for 2024. The Mets could use a stable reliever with a high-velo arsenal. Reliable arms are needed in high-leverage spots—pair either of them with closer Edwin Díaz, and the late innings look locked down. Bringing that heat to Queens would make the bullpen a nightmare for opposing lineups.
Outfield Depth/DH
The Mets need to shore up their outfield depth and lock in a DH. With new additions Juan Soto and Jose Siri, the Mets have touched on creating a core, but there’s no such thing as too many reinforcements on a 162-game grind. Enter Jesse Winker. Winker’s ability to work counts and lefty bat affords the Mets flexibility against right-handed pitchers. He’s a plug-and-play player, on-demand, and [consistent] on-base asset. Clutchness aside, he brings a sharp energy that the Mets thrive on; that degree of edge and swagger never hurt a team chasing a title. Add his proven postseason clutch gene (.318/.531/.636 and 1.168 OPS in 2024), and you have an organization’s “missing piece” to tie it all together. Bringing back Winker for his baseball utility is one thing, but he’s a necessary extension of the electric clubhouse energy that thrust the 2024 Mets into the postseason.
Taking Solid to Stacked
The Mets still have plates to stack, but the ingredients are simple: Prioritize depth, build on versatility, and inject some swagger. They’ve positioned this team to have a decent regular season run as-is, but a couple more pen strokes from Steve Cohen and David Stearns are necessary to take these Mets to the World Series.
