As the last out was recorded in Game 6 of the NLCS, the New York Mets saw their magical postseason run come to an end against a formidable Dodgers squad. But while the sting of defeat is still fresh, the Mets front office knows there is little time to wallow. A pivotal offseason awaits, one that could shape the franchise’s fortunes for years to come.
Rotation in Flux
The most urgent item on the agenda? Shoring up a pitching staff that could see significant turnover. Mainstays Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and Sean Manaea are all slated to hit free agency, taking with them over 90 starts worth of production. As team president David Stearns bluntly put it, “We’re going to have to replace innings.”
Of course, that’s a challenge Stearns is well-equipped to handle. His track record of unearthing pitching gems, both in Milwaukee and now New York, is nearly unparalleled. Expect the Mets to scour both the free agent and trade markets for arms, with Stearns noting that “pretty much the entirety of the player universe is potentially accessible to us.”
The Polar Bear Question
Equally pressing is the fate of slugging first baseman Pete Alonso. A homegrown star and fan favorite, Alonso is set to test free agency for the first time. While his counting stats dipped a bit in 2024, he remained a fearsome presence in the heart of the lineup, delivering several clutch postseason blasts.
Pete’s a great Met. I hope we have him back. Who he is as a person is important. What he means to this franchise is important.
David Stearns on Pete Alonso’s free agency
Reading between the lines, it’s clear the Mets would love to retain Alonso. But at what price? Represented by super agent Scott Boras, Alonso is sure to draw interest from deep-pocketed suitors. The Mets will have to hope that Alonso’s affinity for the organization, coupled with owner Steve Cohen’s financial might, will be enough to fend off other offers.
Building a Sustainable Winner
More than any one signing or trade, though, this offseason is about something far more ambitious: crafting a perennial contender. The Mets got a tantalizing taste of playoff baseball, but in the rugged NL East, they’ll need more than a puncher’s chance to keep pace with Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Fortunately, Stearns seems to understand the assignment. As he explained:
We’re also not going to do anything that hamstrings us in future years and prevents us from continually adding, supplementing to our core group.
David Stearns on the Mets’ offseason approach
It’s a tricky balancing act, to be sure. The Mets will be tempted to go all-in on 2025, but mortgaging the future for a single shot at glory is a risky gambit. Instead, look for Stearns and company to seek out moves that keep the Mets competitive both now and in the years to come.
The Cohen Factor
Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have an owner like Steve Cohen writing the checks. With the pockets to outspend just about anyone, Cohen gives the Mets a distinct advantage in the free agent market. But as Stearns was quick to note, that financial flexibility is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
It means that pretty much the entirety of the player universe is potentially accessible to us. That’s an enormous opportunity. I envision us taking advantage of that opportunity and being aggressive in certain spaces.
David Stearns on the Mets’ financial resources under Steve Cohen
In other words, don’t expect the Mets to spend wildly just for the sake of it. Every dollar will be allocated with an eye towards building that “true sustainable competitiveness” that has long eluded the franchise.
The Road Ahead
Make no mistake: the work ahead is daunting. The Braves aren’t going anywhere. The Phillies seem poised to build off their World Series appearance. And that’s to say nothing of the Mets’ crosstown rival Yankees, who are sure to be plotting a busy winter of their own.
But if this magical Mets season taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. With a rising young core, an aggressive front office, and an owner willing to spend, the pieces are in place for the Mets to be a force for years to come. The hot stove is just starting to heat up, but Mets fans can rest assured: the best may be yet to come in Queens.
