2024 Recap
Record: 89-73, 2nd in NL East, Eliminated in NLCS
The Mets approached 2024 as a retooling year. After shipping off future hall of famers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the 2023 trade deadline, David Stearns, Steve "Uncle Stevie" Cohen, and the rest of the Mets brass were looking to get answers on some of their younger prospects with an eye towards competing in 2025.
Instead, the 2024 Mets flipped a switch in June and shocked just about everyone. They finished tied for second in the NL East, making the playoffs as a wild card team before advancing all the way to the NLCS (where they lost to the future champion Dodgers).
The Mets' record from June 1st through the end of the season was a scorching 65-40 thanks to a resurgent Fransico Lindor, a pitching rotation that heavily outperformed expectations, and strong performances from Mark Vientos and Jose Iglesias. The Mets accomplished this successful season despite a down year from star slugger Pete Alonso, and star closer Edwin Diaz.
2025 Outlook
Key Additions:
- Juan Soto, COF (Free Agent, 15 years, $765m)
- Griffin Canning, SP (Free Agent, 1 year $4.25m)
- Clay Holmes, RP/SP (Free Agent 3 years, $38m)
- Frankie Montas, SP (Free Agent 2 years, $17m)
- Sean Manaea, SP (Resigned in Free Agency, 3 years $75m)
- Jose Siri, OF (Trade With Tampa)
Key Departures:
- Pete Alonso, 1B (Free Agent)
- Luis Severino SP (Free Agent)
- Jose Iglesias, 2B (Free Agent)
- Jose Quintana, SP (Free Agent)
- Jesse Winker, COF (Free Agent)
- Harrison Bader, CF (Free Agent)
- Phil Maton, RP (Declined Club Option)
- Ryan Stanek, RP (Free Agent)
- Adam Ottavino, RP (Free Agent)
The Mets signed THE free agent, Juan Soto, to a historic deal that could top $800m. The future Hall-of-Famer and modern-day Ted Williams will join an offense that will again feature MVP Runner-Up Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos. Juan Soto's defensive limitations could be mitigated by the trade acquisition of Jose Siri -- one of the best CF's in the sport. The Mets also don't have a set DH, and can rotate Soto into the DH spot if needed.
It seems increasingly likely that Pete Alonso will return to the Mets on a shorter contract. He would be a great addition to this offensive core. In a down year in 2024, Alonso still slugged 34 home runs and would provide great protection for Juan Soto in the lineup as well as give the Mets another impact righty power threat. There's currently a hole at 2nd base (created by the departure of Jose Iglesias) that will probably be filled by one of the Mets prospects, as outside of Alex Bregman there are no available free agents that move the needle.
The Mets starting rotation is losing 350 IP between Luis Severino and Jose Quintana's departure and will look to fill the rotation spots around Kodai Senga (returning from injury), Sean Manaea, and David Peterson with some combination of Clay Holmes (who they want to convert to a starter), Frankie Montas, and Griffin Canning. Holmes has electric stuff but can struggle with command and might need to develop another pitch to handle lefty hitters properly. Montas has dealt with injuries, but the Mets are hoping for a resurgent season from him. Canning, realistically, is a depth piece who could make a spot start when needed.
X-Factor: Pitching, Pitching, more Pitching
The pitching staff needs more. The bullpen could have some struggles again this season, especially if Edwin Diaz has a repeat of his 2024 season, as outside of Clay Holmes (who might be a starter) this team lacks proven back of the bullpen arms.
Meanwhile, the rotation shouldn't strike fear into any contending team. Kodai Senga missed practically all of 2024 with injuries and is on the wrong side of 30, it's fair to wonder what he has left in the tank. Sean Manaea looked like a solid #2 pitcher after a mechanical tweak, but he will be 33 this season and will have to continue that success throughout a full season. David Peterson had a great 2024, but outperformed his FIP by .7 runs, implying he could see some regression come 2025. Lastly, Frankie Montas hasn't looked like the potential front-of-the-rotation starter since dealing with numerous injuries and has limited upside.
Getting a true, proven ace like Corbin Burnes or a proven #2 in Max Fried would've surely pushed the offseason spending north of $1B, but would've given the Mets a cornerstone to build their pitching staff around.
Offseason Grade and Prediction
The Juan Soto signing was a home run, not only for his production but also for what it meant to a fanbase that is tired of missing out on the biggest guys (Yamamoto to the Dodgers, Correa had injury concerns, etc.). However, the roster still has some holes and question marks.
Pete Alonso resigning would fill the void created by his departure as well as give the Mets another proven middle-of-the-order bat, but currently outside of Lindor and Soto, who is a proven threat on this team? Vientos looked like he could be, but he's only done it once.
As of now, the Mets plan is to build around this core and win on the margins, looking for value in players such as Jose Siri, Clay Holmes, and Frankie Montas similar to what they found in 2024 with Jose Iglesias, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana.
Despite the questions in the pitching staff and offensive consistency outside of Lindor and Soto, this team heading into 2025 is better than the 2024, version. They're just not ready to take the crown from the Phillies yet.
Offseason Grade: B+
2025 Prediction: 2nd in the NL East, Wildcard Team
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