As for the New York Mets and president of baseball operations David Stearns, New York has already made a few different moves. The most notable signing came just this past week when the team agreed to a deal with relief pitcher Devin Williams. But, by far the biggest move the Mets have made thus far was trading career-Met Brandon Nimmo to Texas in exchange for second baseman Marcus Semien.

Other than that, New York has made a number of ancillary moves. The Mets signed the following players to minor league contracts: 3B Jose Rojas, SS Jackson Cluff, LHP Jodarlin Perez, RHP Nick Burdi, RHP Robert Stock, CF Jose Ramos and LHP Anderson Severino.

They also added RHP Joey Gerber from the Tampa Bay Rays in a cash trade and claimed CF Ji Hwan Bae (Baltimore) and RHP Cooper Criswell (Red Sox) off waivers. On the flip side of that, LHP Danny Young, RHP Max Kranick and LHP José Castillo all made the decision to elect free agency.

The Mets also designated injured RHP Frankie Montas for assignment and subsequently released him after his extremely disappointing first year of a two-year, $34 million deal. The Mets were also returned back LHP Nate Lavender from the Tampa Bay Rays after he was outrighted following a selection in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. New York also ensured it does not lose CF Nick Morabito in the 2025 edition of the Rule 5 Draft, and moved him to the 40-man roster prior to the deadline.

The Mets have an extremely busy offseason ahead of them. They have two premier free agents currently on the market in 1B Pete Alonso and RHP Edwin Díaz. They will also have to — which they already started doing with the Williams deal — rebuild a bullpen that is seeing Ryne Stanek, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto, in addition to Díaz, all hit the open market. Not to mention, they have to reshape a starting rotation that emerged as the main reason for the team’s downslide at the end of the 2025 season.

Steve Cohen. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Payroll Forecast And Potential Spending Consequences

An important aspect to any offseason is how much you have to spend. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Mets have a projected competitive balance tax (CBT) 40-man roster payroll of $279.3 million. This figure currently ranks third in all of baseball. For comparison’s sake, at this time last year, the Mets were at $198.3 million, the ninth-highest mark in the league. Currently, the highest 40-man CBT payroll is owned by the Dodgers at $325.1 million. Meanwhile, the Yankees sit in second at $283.6 million.

So, what are the penalties the Mets may face if they continue to spend? Where may they project to be by the beginning of the season?

Specifically, if the Mets were to pierce the threshold ($244 million is the first threshold) once again, it would be their fifth straight year doing so, subjecting themselves to pay 50% tax on all overages. Further, as the Mets spend more and more and distance themselves from that $244 million baseline additional surcharges will be applied. You can find that breakdown below:

• $244 million to $284 million: 12% surcharge
• $284 million to $304 million: 45% surcharge (would be the fifth straight year)
• Over $304 million: 60% surcharge

Note, clubs that are $40 million or more above the threshold shall have their highest selection in the next MLB Draft moved back 10 places unless the pick falls in the top six. In that case, the team will have its second-highest selection moved back 10 places instead.

With the Mets currently sitting at $279.9, they have already broken into the first surcharge threshold. They are only about $5 million from the second surcharge and roughly $25 million from the last one. All signs put for the Mets to once again pierce that last threshold. For context, the Mets ended last season at $338.2 million which was the second-highest in the league. This figure was comfortably clear of the highest level of surcharge. An area they will likely close in on again this year.

You can read a more in-depth explanation on the potential penalties here.

Clay Holmes. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Current Roster Outlook

The Mets have some work to do this offseason if they wish to return to the playoffs. As alluded to above, they need to reshape both their starting rotation and bullpen. In addition, they have to address a huge question mark in the middle of the lineup that exists in the form of current free agent Pete Alonso.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the Mets’ current depth chart entering Winter Meetings.

Starting Rotation

1. Nolan McLean
2. David Peterson
3. Clay Holmes
4. Sean Manaea
5. Kodai Senga

There is no question about it. The reason the Mets missed the playoffs in 2025 was due to their starting pitching. Even when the staff was performing well in the beginning of the season, the unit was not providing any length, taxing the bullpen. Once those performances regressed, the starting rotation struggled on almost a nightly basis.

There are a lot of question marks as it relates to the Mets’ current projected staff. Peterson, Manaea and Senga all struggled greatly down the stretch/throughout the season in 2025. However, on the flip side of that, each have put together terrific stretches of play throughout their respective careers. McLean and Holmes seem like safer bets, but the first is still entering the season as a rookie and the latter made the transition to full-time starter just last season.

Other potential rotation options include RHP Jonah Tong, RHP Brandon Sproat and RHP Christian Scott. Scott is coming off Tommy John surgery in 2024 but both Tong and Sproat debuted and flashed in 2025.

The Bullpen

• Devin Williams, RHP
• Brooks Raley, LHP
• A.J. Minter, LHP
• Huascar Brazobán, RHP
• Cooper Criswell, RHP
• Dylan Ross, RHP
• Austin Warren, RHP
• Justin Hagenman, RHP

Projecting a bullpen is always a tough task. As it stands, there appears to be only three “locks” for the bullpen Opening Day. This are newest Met Devin Williams as well as left-handed relief pitchers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter (pending full recovery from his season-ending surgery in 2025).

Other relief pitchers currently on the 40-man roster are RHP Cooper Criswell, RHP Huascar Brazobán, RHP Alex Carrillo, RHP Joey Gerber, RHP Justin Hagenman, LHP Richard Lovelady, RHP Jonathan Pintaro, RHP Dylan Ross, LHP Brandon Waddell and RHP Austin Warren.

Elsewhere, the Mets also have the likes of RHP Nick Burdi, LHP Joe Jacques and LHP Anderson Severino that will likely be non-roster invitees to training camp.

Position Players

Here is how the Mets’ position player depth chart currently looks:

• C: Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens
• 1B:
• 2B: Marcus Semien, Jeff McNeil, Luisangel Acuña
• 3B: Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio
• SS: Francisco Lindor
• LF:
• CF: Tyrone Taylor, Ji Hwan Bae
• RF: Juan Soto
• DH: Jared Young

The Mets also have several other minor league prospect options in Carson Benge, Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford and Nick Morabito that may make their debut sometime in 2026.

Framber Valdez. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Needs And Potential Fixes

The quick exercise above identifies several needs the Mets will need to address in the offseason. The bullpen needs a complete rebuild, the lineup has some major question marks and the rotation features a lot of the same that faltered last season. David Stearns and staff clearly have their work cut out for them in free agency and/or on the trade market.

Starting Rotation

It is pretty safe to expect McLean, Manaea, Holmes and Peterson to be four of the five or six rotation pieces to enter the season. Despite the struggles in 2025, both Manaea and Peterson have long track records of decent success. Meanwhile, McLean and Holmes were the team’s two best pitchers last season.

Senga is a huge question mark and it has been reported several times that his name is being discussed in trade talks. His 6.56 second half ERA puts the Mets in a precarious position. They’d be banking on him rediscovering his 2023 form.

With that being said, a top-of-the-market starter is a must for the Mets and it appears that they are exactly after that. A recent report tied the Mets top free agent starters in Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suarez and Michael King. Adding one of those four would complement the Mets’ current rotation nicely.

New York can also turn to a trade market. A report tied the Mets to Twins starter Joe Ryan. However, it was then confirmed Minnesota is not looking to move him, along with its other stars. Other starting pitchers that are reportedly potential trade options are Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Edward Cabrera, Pablo Lopez, MacKenzie Gore and Kris Bubic, among others.

There are luckily several options for the Mets to attack their rotation. Fortunately, it appears only one external addition is needed to improve the unit as they do have several younger players ready to take the next step in the next year or so. These being Scott, Tong, Sproat and Jack Wenninger, to name a few.

Devin Williams. (photo by Roberto Carlo)

Bullpen

Usually your bullpen includes about seven to eight different arms. As mentioned above, only three of those spots appeared to be locked down by players on the roster. The Mets then have a plethora of other potential options, but the bullpen should be the area New York makes the most external additions.

As it relates to left-handed pitching, a healthy Minter and Raley gives New York one of the better duos of southpaws in the league. Then, they brought in right-handed pitcher Devin Williams as Edwin Díaz insurance or as a terrific setup man to Díaz if he were to return.

In addition to the three locks, it is likely at least two or three of the other spots will be seized by internal options, such as Criswell, Ross, Brazobán, etc. That leaves New York needing to make at least two more adds of bullpen arms with legit MLB success.

Of course, one of those adds could be the return of Díaz. There appears to be interest there by both parties but all reports cite a disagreement in term being the holdup. Outside Díaz, the only other top-end bullpen arm on the market that has closing experience is Robert Suarez. The Mets were reportedly tied to Suarez — however, this was before the Williams signing.

As for the rest of the right-handed relief market, there are a plethora of solid middle-to-high leverage options available. Shawn Armstrong, Tyler Rogers, Brad Keller, Luke Weaver, Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Kinley, Seranthony Dominguez and Jacob Webb, among others, would all be extremely solid additions to a Mets bullpen that could certainly use another established major league right-handed relief pitcher or two.

As for the left-handed side of things, the Mets are pretty well set there with the two aforementioned options. They also have other lefties such as Richard Lovelady, Nate Lavender, and Brandon Waddell as internal options, though none of them have extended success at the major-league level. If the Mets wanted to add another established left-handed pitcher, any of the following would help immensely: Caleb Thielbar, Kolby Allard and Drew Pomeranz, among others.

Building a bullpen is always a tricky endeavor. However, the more established major leaguers you have, the higher chance you build that said bullpen more successfully. The Mets do not currently have enough established bullpen arms on their roster and must make a point of adding at least two or three of them this offseason.

Pete Alonso. (Photo by: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

Position Players

Like last year, the offseason, as it relates to the Mets’ position player group, revolves around what happens with Pete Alonso. Currently, without Alonso, the Mets are missing punch in their lineup outside Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Not to mention, they lost outfielder Brandon Nimmo via trade and replaced him with a terrific glove, but a bat at second base that has been subpar the last two seasons in Marcus Semien (.699 OPS in 2024, .669 OPS in 2025). The Mets have some work to do with their lineup.

New York currently has a glaring hole at first base. If Alonso were not to return, would Mark Vientos and his questionable defense serve this role every day? Other potential free agent options at first base include Cody Bellinger, Munetaka Murakami, Willson Contreras, and Ryan O’Hearn, among others. The rumor mill has been relatively quiet thus far as it relates to Alonso and potential replacements. The Mets have been linked to Bellinger, but it would likely make more sense for him to play left field for the Mets than first base.

If New York were to move on from Alonso, and Vientos is not the vision for the everyday first base role, a platoon that improves Alonso’s league-worst defense at first base (negative-nine defensive runs saved, negative-nine outs above average, negative-eight fielding run value) may be an option. For example, a righty/lefty platoon that could bring potential value is Ryan O’Hearn with Ty France. O’Hearn has been terrific offensively while France won a Gold Glove last year.

Fortunately, for the Mets, the rest of their infield is set in the form of Semien at second, Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Brett Baty at third base. To go along with them they have a plethora of depth at those positions as well with Jeff McNeil, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, among others.

The outfield is where it gets a bit more complex. Soto will be a fixture for years to come in fight field and Tyrone Taylor is a strong platoon fit in center field due to his elite defense. However, left field seemingly has no answer as of now.

Jeff McNeil. (photo by Roberto Carlo)

If Opening Day was tomorrow, McNeil would probably be the answer in left. However, he was a negative defender in the outfield (negative-five defensive runs saved, negative-two outs above average, negative-two field run value) for the first time since 2019. It has also been reported than McNeil is very likely to be traded. With all that being said, it appears likely whoever is the Mets Opening Day left fielder may come from outside the organization.

Bellinger, who was mentioned above, has been tied to the Mets all offseason and would likely play left field if brought to Flushing. Kyle Tucker, who is the top free agent left on the market, can also play left, but may not fit the Mets’ desire to improve their outfield defense.

Outside of those two bigger options, the free agent market is pretty barren. Other lesser names on the market consist of Harrison Bader, Rob Refsnyder,  Mike Yastrzemski and Adolis García, among others. As you can see, not a very robust free agent market.

Some potential trade options are Jarren Duran, Brendan Donovan, Wilyer Abreu and Luis Robert Jr., among others. The Mets also have Carson Benge as a legit option for left field and someone who Stearns mentioned as a legit possibility to make the team.

Center field is an interesting position for the Mets this offseason. The Mets agreed on a deal with Tyrone Taylor, who was arbitration eligible. They also have other internal options in prospects Jett Williams and the aforementioned Benge.

If they choose to go externally to fill the center field spot, some of the trade candidates mentioned for left field, including Duran and Robert Jr., are options in center as well. Specifically, the Mets were tied to Robert Jr. already this offseason and were prior to the 2025 trade deadline. As far as free agents go, the previously mentioned Bellinger and Bader would be fits. But outside that, the center field market, like the left field one, is not very robust at all.

The last offensive position the Mets will need to address is the designated hitter (DH) spot. New York has some flexibility here, as if Alonso returns, it seems as if he would be an option to DH more. Additionally, given Soto’s woes in the outfield, him filling the DH role some wouldn’t hurt either. The Mets then have a plethora of other designated hitter options in Vientos, Mauricio and McNeil, among others.

If they did want to go externally to fill the role, Kyle Schwarber, who the Mets have been linked to at least once, and Marcell Ozuna, are the best pure DH options on the open market.

David Stearns. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Final Thoughts

The Mets have some work to do this offseason. As the above shows, the team would be wise to add the following:

• Top-end starting pitcher
• Two to three relief pitchers
• First baseman
• Platoon center fielder
• Left fielder

As is the case every offseason, the Mets have the capabilities to add all of the above thanks to the richest owner in baseball. Additionally, they are still nearly $60 million from where they saw their payroll end last season. It is also helpful they are looked upon as having an above-average farm system which should help make any trades.

Winter Meetings should hopefully be the springboard the offseason needs. With the Mets likely being one of the more active teams once again, expect a busy next couple months.

As a bonus, and in an attempt to predict the Mets’ Opening Day roster, see below:

Starting Pitchers:

1. Freddy Peralta, RHP
2. Nolan McLean, RHP
3. David Peterson, LHP
4. Sean Manaea, LHP
5. Clay Holmes, RHP
6. Brandon Sproat, RHP

Bullpen:

• Edwin Díaz, RHP
• Devin Williams, RHP
• Brooks Raley, LHP
• A.J. Minter, LHP
• Jacob Webb, RHP
• Dylan Ross, RHP
• Huascar Brazobán, RHP

Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Cody Bellinger, CF
3. Mark Vientos, DH
4. Juan Soto, RF
5. Willson Contreras, 1B
6. Marcus Semien, 2B
7. Brett Baty, 3B
8. Francisco Alvarez, C
9. Carson Benge, LF

Bench:

• Luis Torrens, C
• Ronny Mauricio, INF/DH
• Luisangel Acuña, INF
• Tyrone Taylor, CF

The post 2025 Mets Winter Meetings Mega-Preview appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets will have plenty to make and have spent the playoffs so far shedding most of their coaching staff and starting to replace that said staff.

Here are the key dates for the Mets for the rest of the offseason.

Pete Alonso. (Roberto Carlo)

The Day After The World Series

Eligible free agents are able to officially become free agents with the conclusion of the World Series. The following Mets will become free agents:

• Starling Marte
• Cedric Mullins
• Ryan Helsley
• Jesse Winker
• Tyler Rogers
• Ryne Stanek
• Gregory Soto
• Griffin Canning

Five Days After the World Series

Five days after the World Series, contract options must be picked up or declined. Additionally, players on the market can officially start signing with new teams.

The following players have options in their contracts:

• Edwin Díaz (player, two years and $37 million)
• Pete Alonso (player, $24 million)
• Frankie Montas (player, $17 million)
• A.J. Minter (player, $11 million)
• Drew Smith (team, $2 million)

Alonso and Díaz will certainly decline their options and become free agents. Montas will miss all of 2026 and pick up his, and Minter, coming off a season-ending injury, will likely pick up his. Drew Smith, given his rehab from UCL internal brace surgery, is more of a question mark, but we can assume the Mets will pick up the cheap option.

Of all their free agents, the Mets must decide who they’ll extend a qualifying offer to (among eligible players). Díaz is the only eligible one who will likely get extended the qualifying offer (QO).

November Meetings

The annual general managers meeting is November 10 through 13, and the owners’ meeting is November 18 through 20.

Qualifying Offers and Rule 5 Deadline

Players must accept or decline their qualifying offer by November 18, 2025. Additionally, teams also must add any Rule 5 eligible players to their 40-man roster by November 18 to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft in December.

Tender Deadline

Teams must tender arbitration-eligible players a contract by November 21, 2025. The Mets have nine arbitration-eligible players, such as Francisco Alvarez and David Peterson. Players like Tylor Megill, Nick Madrigal, and Max Kranick could be non-tendered.

Francisco Alvarez. (David Banks-Imagn Images)

Winter Meetings & Rule 5 Draft

The 2025 Winter Meetings will take place from December 8 through 11.

There, the MLB lottery takes place on December 9. The Mets have a 0.67% chance at the top pick, and if they somehow end up with a top-six pick, they’ll get to stay where they are. If they land outside the top-six, their first-round pick will move down 10 spots for exceeding the second competitive balance tax threshold again.

The Rule 5 Draft occurs on December 10.

Other Offseason Dates

• Sometime in January 2026, the 2026 Hall of Fame Class is announced. David Wright will be on the ballot for the third year. Meanwhile, SNY announcer Gary Cohen is a finalist for the Ford Frick Award.
• On January 15, 2026, the international free agent signing period starts.
• Also, at some point in January, teams and arbitration-eligible players must agree on a contract or head to arbitration hearings a month later.

The post Key 2025-2026 Offseason Dates appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Boras mentioned that contrary to a lack of noise, there is “a lot of market locomotion regarding Pete (Alonso).”. Alonso is a free agent who has expressed his love for the New York Mets and desire to return to the team.

While discussing Sean Manaea, Boras stated, “There is a new Sean rising…the demand for him is great.”. Manaea has publicly stated his love for his time in New York and would welcome a return to Flushing.

Regarding Juan Soto: “He is under physical, so I can’t talk about him.” According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, apress conference to announce Juan Soto’s signing has tentatively been scheduled for 3 P.M. on Thursday, December 12 at Citi Field. 

Lastly, in regards to the Mets as an organization, he said:

“I think it’s pretty evident the Mets have decided they’re going to pursue winning and winning for a long time. They’ve made it very clear to us that they’re not limited to signing one great player but multiple great players. They will be very steady and very committed to acquiring the best talent.”

The Mets have shown themselves not financially bound this year, and due to Boras’ list of high-quality talent, it seems the relationship between him and David Stearns will be growing this offseason.

The post Boras: ‘Mets Committed To Acquiring The Best Talent’ appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

As far as the New York Mets go, president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has his work cut out for him. Stearns has already been busy though, as he has already made two splashes, attempting to rebuild the rotation with multi-year deals in the form of Frankie Montas (two-years, $34 million; including a player option) and Clay Holmes (three-years, $38 million; including a player option after 2026). They also found the second half of a platoon in center field with Jose Siri coming over from Tampa Bay. He should compliment Tyrone Taylor in center nicely.

New York also completed a number of ancillary moves. They acquired relief pitcher Sean Harney from Tampa Bay, claimed infielder Luis De Los Santos and relief pitcher Kevin Herget off waivers, and signed reliever Génesis Cabrera, reliever Grant Hartwig, outfielder Edward Olivares, outfielder Alex Ramírez, first baseman Joey Meneses, catcher Jakson Reetz, infielder Donovan Walton, outfielder Rafael Ortega, reliever Justin Hagenman, and reliever Dylan Covey to deals. Lastly, the Mets also re-signed relief pitcher Sean-Reid Foley.

This is just the beginning of what projects to be an extremely busy offseason for the Mets.

David Stearns. (Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Payroll Forecast and Potential Spending Consequences

Looking at the Mets’ roster, which we will do in depth down below, you can see that they are nowhere near done. This despite the two rotational moves and the plethora of depth plays that Stearns and staff have already made. To understand just how much more room the team has to work with financially, a quick analysis of their payroll situation and potential consequences is helpful.

As it stands, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Mets have a projected competitive balance tax (CBT) 40-man roster payroll of $198.3 million. This figure currently ranks ninth in all of baseball. For comparison sake, last year, at this time, the Mets were at $289.76 million; the highest mark in the league. Currently, the highest 40-man CBT payroll is owned by the Dodgers at $309 million, meanwhile, the Phillies sit in second at $275.1 million.

So, what are the penalties the Mets may face if they continue to spend? Where may they project to be by the beginning of the season?

Specifically, if the Mets were to pierce the threshold ($241 million is the first threshold) once again, it would be their fourth-straight year doing so, subjecting themselves to pay 50% tax on all overages. Further, as the Mets spend more and more and get distance themselves from that $241 million baseline, as they may do once again, surcharges will be applied. You can find that breakdown below:

• $261 million to $281 million: 12% surcharge
• $281 million to $301 million: 45% surcharge (would be the fourth-straight year)
• Over $301 million: 60% surcharge

Note, clubs that are $40 million or more above the threshold shall have their highest selection in the next Rule 4 Draft moved back 10 places unless the pick falls in the top six. In that case, the team will have its second-highest selection moved back 10 places instead.

Interestingly, based off the above, entering the Winter Meetings, the Mets are below the baseline threshold for the first time in a while. At $198.3 million, New York is still $42.7 million under the baseline threshold, $62.7 million under the first surcharge threshold, $82.7 million under the second surcharge threshold, and $102.7 million under the third surcharge threshold.

To put on a bow on things, the Mets ended 2024 with a CBT 40-man payroll of $356.5 million, which was by far the highest in baseball (Yankees were second at $310 million). As a result, the Mets flew through each of the three additional penalty surcharge levels and were subject to all the penalties, including the draft pick slide, outlined above.

Where the Mets end up this year, that remains to be seen. However, it would be widely unrealistic to expect them, especially with the dead money off the books, to come anywhere near that final $356.5 million mark they ended 2024 at. That is a staggering 158.2 million off from where they are currently.

You can read a more in-depth explanation on the potential penalties here.

Francisco Lindor. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

Current Roster Outlook

Despite one of the more successful seasons as a whole in franchise history, the Mets still have a plethora of holes in their current roster. 2024 was a pleasant surprise to many, New York took down two division winners, including their rivals, the Phillies, en route to a National League Championship Series appearance against the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

No one expected the Mets to come within two wins of a pennant and six wins of a World Series title. However, they did, despite a roster strategically built by president of baseball operations, David Stearns, with several short-term deals. How does the current landscape of the roster project entering the Winter Meetings?

Starting Rotation

1. Kodai Senga
2. Frankie Montas
3. David Peterson
4. Clay Holmes
5. Paul Blackburn

As mentioned above, the Mets already made two additions to the team’s rotation. After Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Jose Quintana all became free agents, the Mets have to replace 534 innings and three stalwarts of their 2024 rotation. Of course, it is still possible the Mets bring back Manaea or Quintana, as both are still on the market, but with the losses of those three to the open market, the need to address the rotation is pressing. Thus why we saw two earlier deals to bring in new starters.

Outside of the five projected starters above, the Mets have others such as Tylor Megill or José Buttó who can slot in if needs be. They also have several prospects slated to be at the Triple-A level to begin the year closing in on potential major-league debuts in Brandon Sproat, Blade Tidwell, Mike Vasil, and Dom Hamel.

Clay Holmes. (Photo credits: Roberto Carlo)

The Bullpen

Projecting a bullpen is always a tall task. As we saw last year, the Opening Day bullpen for the Mets compared to what it was at the end of the year was night and day. Regardless, as it stands, there are likely only four “locks,” currently in the organization to be in the bullpen on Opening Day; Edwin Díaz, Reed Garrett, Dedinel Núñez, and José Buttó, of course, pending no injuries or trade. Also notable, all four of those arms are right-handed pitchers.

Other relievers currently on the Mets 40-man roster consist of Huascar Brazobán, Dylan Covey, Justin Hagenman, Kevin Herget, Max Kranick, Sean Reid-Foley, Danny Young, and Tyler Zuber. Only Young is a left-handed pitcher. Of those, Brazobán (xERA below 3.64 in each big-league season) and Reid-Foley (2.15 ERA across 29 1/3 innings the last two seasons) are the only two that have seen any sense of sustained success in the big leagues.

Elsewhere, the Mets have non-roster invitees in Génesis Cabrera (LHP), Chris Devenski (RHP), Grant Hartwig (RHP), and Rico Garcia (RHP) set to join them in camp. Additionally, minor leaguer right-handed relievers Trey McLoughlin (1.89 ERA across 33 1/3 Double-A innings in 2024) and Bryce Montes de Oca (struggled in 2024 after returning from elbow surgery) are other potential options.

Then, there is always a possibility that a current starter in the minor leagues can emerge as a bullpen option with the big club, such as Buttó did. Some names to keep an eye on are Blade Tidwell, Mike Vasil, and Dom Hamel.

Position Players

Here is how the Mets’ position player depth chart currently looks based off New York’s 40-man roster:

• C: Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens
• 1B:
• 2B: Jeff McNeil, Ronny Mauricio
• 3B: Mark Vientos, Brett Baty
• SS: Francisco Lindor, Luisangel Acuña, Luis De Los Santos
• LF: Brandon Nimmo
• CF: Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, José Azocar
• RF: Starling Marte

The Mets also have some minor-league options who can break into the majors at some point. Those consist of Luke Ritter (infielder; 53 home runs the last two seasons), Ryan Clifford (first base), Ronny Mauricio (second base; recovering from injury), Drew Gilbert (outfielder) and Jett Williams (second base, center field; top organizational prospect).

Additionally, New York has some non-roster invitees in Joey Meneses (first base; .731 career major-league OPS), Donovan Walton (infielder; .532 career major-league OPS), Edward Olivares (outfielder; at least 100 major-league at-bats in each of the last four seasons, .714 career major-league OPS), and Alex Ramírez (outfielder; former Mets top prospect) who are each expected to join the team in camp.

Juan Soto. (Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

The Needs And Potential Answers

A quick glance over the above organizational breakdown shows a clear need for several more additions. The rotation is almost there, but the bullpen and lineup still have some holes. President of baseball operations, David Stearns, has his work cut out for him, in free agency and/or the trade market.

Pitching

Starting Rotation

Signing both Montas and Holmes already are big boosts to a rotation that was by far the Mets’ biggest area of need entering the offseason. However, as it stands, each of the members currently set to make up the starting rotation on Opening Day have question marks.

Despite a terrific debut season in North America (2.98 ERA, 202 strikeouts in 2023), Kodai Senga was only able to make one start and a few postseason appearances in 2024 due to injury. Secondly, David Peterson, although a breakout in 2024, has yet to put two-straight efficient seasons together (5.54 ERA in 2021, 5.03 ERA in 2023). And, Paul Blackburn, who was acquired in 2024, dealt with injury issues and owns a career 4.85 ERA. Not to mention, Tylor Megill has been extremely inconsistent over his big-league career (career 4.56 major-league ERA) and José Buttó is better off as a bullpen piece.

Not to mention, the two newest Mets, Montas and Holmes, have question marks themselves. Montas needs some fixing, as he posted a 4.84 ERA overall in 2024 and did not pitch in 2023 due to injury. Meanwhile, Holmes has not started a big-league game since his rookie season in 2018. Luckily for his situation, the best case is a very cheap quality starting pitcher ($12.67 million annually) and his floor is a quality high-leverage reliever (3.31 ERA as a reliever with the Yankees).

With all that being said, if most of the above hit their ceiling, there is a real chance the Mets’ rotation can be a quality one. Regardless, New York needs to add another higher-level starter, which would help stretch the depth out and push bottom-of-the-rotation guys, such as David Peterson and and Frankie Montas, down the rotation where they are more valuable.

As far as the market goes, Corbin Burns and Max Fried are the top-tier remaining options. However, the Mets haven’t exactly been tied to that duo in reporting nor does chasing pitchers like that in free agency fit what David Stearns usually does. A reunion with Sean Manaea would make a lot of sense, and any of the higher middle-tier free agents of Jack Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, or Walker Buehler would also get the job done.

Coincidentally enough, on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic connected the Mets and each of those pitchers. Further hitting home the point the Mets are aware they need a No. 2 or high-tier No. 3 starter to round out their rotation.

An interesting variable is Japanese superstar Rōki Sasaki. Sasaki is set to be posted officially during the Winter Meetings, opening his 45-day window to sign with a major-league team. As Jeff Passan of ESPN confirms, “MLB rules dictate that foreign professionals under 25 years old and with fewer than six years’ experience must sign as international amateurs, Sasaki’s contract will be for a fraction of what he would receive as a major league free agent.” He adds that, “In the capped international-amateur system, the top bonus pools are around $7.5 million and the bottom around $5.1 million, with a team able to trade for up to an additional 60% of its pool money.” So, he will come very cheap.

Sasaki has a career 2.10 ERA across four NPB seasons; stronger numbers than Yoshinobu Yamamoto had, who came over last offseason and posted a 3.00 ERA in his rookie season with the Dodgers. Sasaki should follow suit and be an elite starter in the major leagues right away. Whichever team lands Sasaki, at this discount his contract is required to be, will be getting extreme value. It has long been rumored Sasaki will want to stay on the West Coast, however, Passan does mention the Mets as one of six teams to be “significant players” in the sweepstakes.

The Mets can also turn to the trade market, which, given the circumstances, and the depth in the infield as it relates to prospects (Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, among others), makes more sense to do. The Mets really lack a young, controllable, quality starter, and if they can find one of those, they would instantly fill what is the team’s most pressing long-term need. A team like Seattle or Miami have young starters a plenty, maybe the Mets can strike a deal there.

There are also a plethora of back-of-the-rotation arms on the market, but, as we alluded to previously, that is not a need for the Mets. New York must focus on upper-echelon and top-tier middle-rotation options. They cannot roll into the season with what they currently have.

Bullpen

As mentioned previously, only four spots in the Mets’ bullpen appear to be locked up. That leaves about four spots up for grab, some of which will likely be filled internally from the likes of Reid-Foley, Megill, Young, Brazobán, etc. However, there is still some work to do externally.

Outside of Danny Young, the Mets really have no left-handed option out of the bullpen as it currently stands. Externally, the best option on the market is by far Tanner Scott, however, given the investment the Mets have in Edwin Díaz and potentially another bullpen stalwart in Clay Holmes (if the starter role does not work out) Scott appears unrealistic.

Other quality left-handed options on the market are A.J. Minter (3.28 career ERA with Atlanta), Brooks Raley (2.48 ERA with the Mets prior to injury), Holby Milner (3.64 ERA, 3.42 FIP across four seasons with Milwaukee), Danny Coulombe (2.56 ERA, 90 strikeouts across 81 innings the last two seasons), Jalen Beeks (.570 OPS against left-handed hitters in 2024), Caleb Ferguson (2.88 FIP with the Astros in 2024), and Scott Alexander (.564 OPS against left-handed hitters over his career).

As far as right-handed relievers go, there are a plethora currently on the market. Jeff Hoffman, Kirby Yates, David Robertson, Carlos Estévez, Blake Treinen, and Tommy Kahnle line the top of it. Some of the quality, and underrated, cheaper options consist of Paul Seward (career 3.39 FIP), Scott Barlow (3.49 career ERA), Austin Voth (3.14 xERA in 2024), among others. Regardless, the market is plush with right-handed relief pitcher options.

Despite having about half of the bullpen undecided, the Mets have several different effective routes they can take to round the unit out. This is an area you should see Stearns and staff to continue to address.

Pete Alonso. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

Hitting

There are two key factors that will determine how the Mets approach the remainder of the offseason offensively. The first is Juan Soto. Will the Mets land arguably the best all-around hitter in the major leagues? If so, that would take care of right field for years to come and instantly boost the lineup like no other available player could.

The second is Pete Alonso. Will the Mets bring back their slugging first baseman? If they did, he would in all likelihood own all of the franchise’s power records when it’s said and done. If he walks, that would likely mean the movement of Mark Vientos from third base to first base, opening a hole at the other corner infield spot.

Those two aspects aside, it is all but confirmed that the Mets are set at catcher (Alvarez, Torrens), shortstop (Lindor), left field (Nimmo), and center field (Taylor, Siri). First base is contingent on Alonso, but in all likelihood, Alonso or not (Vientos), that position should be filled. That leaves a question mark at second base, third base (or first base if the Mets don’t switch Vientos to first), right field (if the Mets don’t sign Soto), and designated hitter.

Second base can theoretically be a platoon of Jeff McNeil and Luisangel Acuña. Not to mention, Ronny Mauricio is finally due back after a knee injury resulted in him missing all of 2024 and the Mets have been experimenting with Brett Baty at second base in the minors. If the Mets are not thrilled with those options, they can turn to the open market which features a premier option of Gleyber Torres and quality depth in Jose Iglesias, Thairo Estrada, and Whit Merrifield, among others.

At third base, if the Mets don’t re-sign Alonso, they should move Vientos (sixth percentile outs above average in 2024) to the easier first base. Though, if Alonso is re-signed, Vientos likely figures to be at third base on Opening Day. The premier third base option in free agency is Alex Bregman, who is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to sign a seven-year deal worth $182 million. He fits what Stearns and company covet (strong defender, low strikeout rate, good contact rates) and would replace Alonso admirably.

Outside of Bregman, the third base options in free agency are not exactly enticing. Gio Urshela would be nice depth, but there really is not any everyday options. So, if Alonso walks, and the Mets do move Vientos over to first base, they might be in some trouble. Granted, there is the trade market or maybe Brett Baty can emerge as an everyday player in 2025. The Mets can also bite the bullet and leave Vientos at third base, despite the extremely poor defense. If they go that route, and lose Alonso, Carlos Santana (.749 OPS in 2024, Gold Glove winner), Christian Walker (.803 OPS in 2024), and Josh Bell (.796 OPS with Arizona in 2024) are all potential free agent options at first base.

Right field is the interesting spot. Of course, if the Mets sign Soto, there will be no need to think of that position again for years. However, with no Soto, the right field spot is currently occupied by Starling Marte, who has seen his defensive game regress so much (fourth percentile outs above average in 2024) that he probably is better fit for the designated hitter spot.

Other top-of-the-market right field options consist of Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández. Each probably posses price tags outside what the Mets want to pay, not to mention, it remains to be seen how Santander, given his lackluster defense, would age. Other quality, cheaper options would be Michael Conforto (.759 OPS in 2024), Alex Verdugo (great defender, low chase rate), Max Kepler (.816 OPS in 2023), among others.

Designated hitter is the last spot that has some question marks currently. Some type of platoon with right-handed hitter Starling Marte would make sense. Marte was still very efficient at the plate in 2024 (74th percentile xwOBA, 94th percentile xBA) and would complement a left-handed hitter nicely. A Joc Peterson (.908 OPS in 2024) or Jesse Winker (career .841 OPS against right-handed pitchers) would both make a ton of sense.

The Mets also have some internal answers, albeit, the only left-handed hitter being Brett Baty. But, Ronny Mauricio is not exactly a star in the field and would likely fit better as a designated hitter. The Mets could also theoretically move Vientos to a full-time designated hitter role given how porous his defense is, but they would have to ensure both first and third base are filled elsewhere.

Steve Cohen. (Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Final Thoughts

Despite the immense success the team had last year, the way that club was strategically put together by president of baseball operations, David Stearns, the Mets have a lot to do to come close to that 2024 success in 2025. The rotation is getting closer, but one more big fish is needed there, the bullpen still needs a few more external additions, and the lineup currently has two big questions looming over it with holes needing to be addressed.

Luckily, for the Mets, they have the richest owner in baseball, and for what seems like the first time in a while, a ton of room before they start getting too deep in another season of CBT penalties. As mentioned above, the Mets’ current payroll is way off where they were last year. Granted, they shouldn’t come close to that figure this year, but it just goes to show how much of a better spot the Mets are financially than last season at this time.

With all this in mind, and with one of the better baseball minds leading the way, Mets fans should be extremely exciting for what Winter Meetings, and beyond, hold for the Mets. With Winter Meetings on the doorstep, we should see the offseason pick up rapidly, and the Mets will be among the most active of teams.

The post Previewing the 2024 Winter Meeting; What Do The Mets Need? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Andy Martino of SNY reported that the Mets have the following on their Winter Meetings wishlist: outfielder, starting pitching, and relief pitching.

Original Post –

The 2023 Winter Meetings are set to begin on Monday in Nashville. The meetings will run from December 3 through the 6th. With a plethora of roster spots open, president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has a lot of work to do.

Despite Winter Meetings not beginning for another 24 hours, the Mets have already been busy. The first “big” signing the team made was bringing in a reclamation project and former Yankees’ starter, Luis Severino, on a one-year, $13 million deal. New York also added depth in the form of utility infielder Joey Wendle, who will replace Luis Guillorme in a similar role next year. Lastly, they signed reliever Austin Adams to a major-league deal.

The team also made a plethora of depth moves, claiming catcher Tyler Heineman and utility player Cooper Hummel. Relief pitchers Kyle Crick and Andre Scrubb was also signed to minor-league deals. It is the beginning to what projects to be an extremely busy offseason for New York.

Steve Cohen. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Payroll Forecast and Potential Spending Consequences

Despite the flurry of moves, mostly for depth, New York has already made, the team is likely nowhere close to being done. To understand just how much flexibility they may have, a quick analysis of the team’s payroll and spending consequences is helpful.

Currently, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Mets own the major league’s highest payroll at $289,760,00–A figure already above the first aforementioned luxury-tax threshold.

For comparison’s sake, the second-highest 40-man CBT payroll team is the Philadelphia Phillies at $252.7 million. Last year, New York ended the season at a 40-man CB Tax payroll of $366.1 million, the Yankees were the second-highest at $298.5 million. Another interesting tidbit is New York is currently scheduled to possess $65,933,333 in “dead money” factored into their total figure thanks to the trades of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and James McCann, as well as the outright of Tomás Nido. This figure is higher than the Oakland Athletic’s current $59.3 million 40-man CB tax payroll.

So, what are the penalties for where the Mets currently stand? Where might they project to be by the beginning of the season? Specifically, given this is the third year in a row the Mets are expected to pierce the threshold, they will have to pay a 50% tax on all overages. Further, as the Mets spend more and more, as they are expected to, surcharges will be applied. You can find that breakdown below:

• $257 million to $277 million: 12% surcharge
• $277 million to $297 million: 45% surcharge (would be the third-straight year)
• Over $297 million: 60% surcharge

As you can, the Mets are once again expected to blow through all the thresholds.

You can read a more in-depth explanation on the potential penalties here.

Current Roster Outlook

Coming off an 87-loss season, where the organization rightfully entered “sell mode” at the trade deadline, has resulted in a team this offseason that has several holes. Roster moves, most notably the non-tendering of several players, such as Daniel Vogelbach, Trevor Gott, Luis Guillorme, among others, has also given the Mets extreme flexibility in their 40-man roster. As it stands, New York only has 33 players on their 40-man unit.

With everything we know now, entering Winter Meetings, how does the current landscape of the roster project?

Kodai Senga. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Rotation

1. Kodai Senga
2. José Quintana
3. Luis Severino
4. Tylor Megill
5. Joey Lucchesi

An under-the-radar loss New York suffered earlier in the offseason was David Peterson undergoing hip surgery. He is expected to be out until May. The Mets also have another option to factor into the above in José Butto, who showed flashes at points last year (3.93 xERA).

This is an area New York will likely continue to address, whether that be through free agency or the trade market.

Bullpen

There likely is not another unit on the team, especially after the signing of starter Luis Severino, that needs more work than the bullpen. As it stands, New York only has four relievers that will factor into the Opening Day roster: Edwin Díaz, Brooks Raley, Drew Smith, and Austin Adams.

Other 40-man roster options consist of Grant Hartwig, Phil Bickford, Josh Walker, Sean Reid-Foley, and Reed Garrett. However, each does not have an established track record, and all but Reid-Foley (7 2/3 innings, 3.52 ERA) posted xERAs over 4.29 last season, with most being close to 5.00.

New York also has some non-40-man roster prospects that may get a look. Some of these examples are RHP Paul Gervase (2.05 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 57 total minor league innings last season), LHP Nate Lavender (2.98 ERA and 86 strikeouts over 54 1/3 total minor league innings last season), and the rehabbing RHP Bryce Montes de Oca. Meanwhile, they recently signed RHP Kyle Crick (3.56 career ERA) to a minor-league deal and Cole Sulser (3.87 career ERA) is a non-roster invitee.

The bottom line is there is a lot of question which signifies the Mets have a lot of work to do on the backend.

Pete Alonso. Photo by Roberto Carlo

Position Players

The group of position players that the Mets will largely reflect something similar to the group New York utilized last year. Here is how the depth chart currently stands based off the current 40-man roster (no specific order):

• C: Francisco Álvarez, Omar Narváez, Tyler Heineman
• 1B: Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos
• 2B: Jeff McNeil, Zack Short
• 3B: Brett Baty
• SS: Francisco Lindor, Ronny Mauricio
• LF: DJ Stewart,
• CF: Brandon Nimmo,
• RF: Starling Marte
• UTIL: Joey Wendle, Cooper Hummel

The Mets also have some younger minor leaguers like Jeremiah Jackson (22 home runs last season and .802 OPS after joining Double-A Binghamton) or Carlos Cortes (.783 OPS last season with Triple-A Syracuse) who may try to fight for a role out of training camp.

The Needs and Potential Options

It is pretty clear. President of baseball operations, David Stearns, has work to do. The glaring issues appear to be pitching, both in the rotation and in the bullpen. With that being said, the lineup cannot be overlooked either. Both at some key positions and on the bench.

Pitching

The Rotation

As the rotation currently stands, two more external adds would be beneficial. Tylor Megill (5.85 xERA in 2023) and Joey Lucchesi (5.44 xERA) currently factor into the Opening Day rotation, however, each posted subpar underlying metrics in 2023. Despite Lucceshi escaping the season with solid traditional statistics, each have yet shown to be every-fifth day starters. Not to mention, the only depth behind the current rotation is José Butto. Not only would two more external options provide needed upgrades to the rotation, it would give New York much better depth.

It is fair to slot Kodai Senga in a top-two slot with José Quintana and Luis Severino slotting in the bottom part of the rotation. That leaves New York needing to fulfill a top-of-the-rotation starter and a bottom-of-the-rotation arm. Who are some options?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets’ interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto has long been rumored and he would instantly fill that top-of-the-rotation hole. Jordan Montgomery has also been a name mentioned as a potential pitcher on the Mets’ radar. He would also fulfill a spot in the top half of the Mets rotation.

As for other top-half rotation options, Blake Snell, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Shohei Ohtani also are still on the market. However, as it relates to Ohtani, New York has reportedly turned their attention to other players.

The bottom half of the rotation free agent options that would benefit the Mets, in order of wins above replacement (WAR) from last season consist of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger, Wade Miley, and Domingo German, among others.

There is also the trade market, where top arms such as Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease, and Shane Bieber are allegedly available. However, New York has seemingly shown unwillingness to trade any of their top prospects. Making it more likely if they do go to the trade market for a starter, it would be a back-half starter.

Edwin Díaz. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Bullpen

As for the bullpen, the unit may need even more work than the rotation. Teams conventionally carry around eight relief pitchers, New York currently has four of those spots fulfilled (Díaz, Raley, Smith, and Adams) leaving several established relievers needed to complete the unit.

Some of the more prominent right-handed relievers on the market who performed well last season are David Robertson, Craig Kimbrel (3.28 xERA in 2023), Robert Stephenson (2.73 xERA in 2023), Hector Neris (3.33 xERA in 2023), Phil Maton (3.14 xERA in 2023), Jordan Hicks (3.33 xERA in 2023), Ryan Brasier (3.55 xERA in 2023), Chris Stratton (3.58 xERA in 2023), and Dylan Floro (3.35 xERA in 2023), among several others.

As of now, the only established left-handed major leaguer the Mets have is Raley. The top options on the free agent market are Aroldis Chapman and Josh Hader. Given the existence of Díaz, the spending on Hader would seem unlikely. Other left-handed options who are free agents and were strong in 2023 are Brent Suter (3.23 xERA in 2023), Will Smith (3.35 xERA in 2023), Matt Moore (3.30 xERA in 2023), and Scott Alexander (3.61 xERA in 2023).

As you can see, luckily, there are a plethora of solid relief pitchers on the market. Look for the Mets and president of baseball operations, David Stearns, to be extremely active there.

Hitting

As previously mentioned, New York’s position group is much closer to being set, on paper, than the rotation and bullpen. The likely focuses are potential supplemental options to Brett Baty at third base, left field, potential Starling Marie insurance in right field, and another designated hitting option.

New York already signed Joey Wendle, who is capable at third base, however, also is left-handed and projects more as a depth move than a potential platoon option at third base. The two top options at the corner infield spot are Matt Chapman and Jeimer Candelario. However, with New York likely hoping Baty is the future at that spot, a depth option would likely be better. Those potential options are Justin Turner, Brian Anderson, Gio Urshela, and Evan Longoria.

Teoscar Hernández. Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Left field projects as more of an everyday opportunity for a potential external option. DJ Stewart was re-signed, but a repetition of an .840 OPS performance from last year would be a tall task, his fielding does not exactly scream everyday left fielder, and he is a prime candidate to get designated hitter at-bats. The top left fielder options on the market consist of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernández, Jorge Soler, Whit Merrifield, and Adam Duvall.

Additionally, New York was also recently mentioned as a team who is interested in KBO-import Jung Hoo Lee. Lee, who is a center fielder by trade, can slot into left field or New York can move Brandon Nimmo to left and leave Lee in center. If the Mets do choose to move Nimmo to left to fill that slot, center field options in free agency, outside of Lee, consist of the likely overpriced Cody Bellinger, former Blue Jay defensive maestro Kevin Kiermaier, and former Yankee and Cardinal Harrison Bader.

As for the other corner outfield position, Starling Marte may be the biggest question mark on the roster. After a terrific 2022 season, Marte struggled in 2023 immensely, due in large part due to injuries. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding what he will be in 2023. For that reason, do not be surprised if New York makes a move to bring in depth there. Depth outfield options consist of Eddie Rosario, Tommy Pham, Travis Jankowski, Joey Gallo, Randal Grichuk, Hunter Renfroe, Robbie Grossman, among others.

Designated hitter is another interesting question for the Mets. They seemingly have numerous in-house options, many of which are of the younger and unproven variety (Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Brett Baty) as well as the previously mentioned Stewart. The main designated hitter options on the market are the aforementioned Solar, Rosario, Turner, Renfroe, as well as J.D. Martinez, Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, and Joc Pederson. Of course, there is Ohtani, however, as mentioned before, the Mets have seemingly turned their attention elsewhere.

Despite having a mostly solid internal stable of options, New York still has some work to do in ensuring no glaring holes in the team’s lineup.

Final Thoughts

The Mets have already been active this offseason, however, with Winter Meetings commencing expect them to be even busier given the current state of the 40-man roster. Their rotation and bullpen still require some makeover and the lineup will need a couple additions as well.

Having the richest owner in sports surely helps, and New York has the flexibility other teams certainly do not possess. However, with this being said, the team has likely learned a lesson from last year’s splurge on aging players, and currently has a new-found stable of intriguing and still developing prospects they need to be cognizant of.

New president of baseball operations David Stearns has long been praised for his craftiness and for running a perennial playoff-bound organization in Milwaukee. With more resources than he has ever had, and several positions needing filling, expect him and New York to be extremely active in the coming days and weeks.

Based on all the above, what do the Mets need to prime themselves for a return to the playoffs in 2024? Two starters, three bullpen arms, a left fielder, a designated hitter, and some position player depth. They have the adequate resources to do so, and an individual at the helm who has been very successful in years past.

Make sure to follow along with us here at Metsmerized every step of the way as our in-depth offseason coverage continues!

The post Previewing The 2023 Winter Meetings From The Mets Perspective appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

There remains the possibility that the New York Mets could still sign both outfielder Brandon Nimmo and free agent starter Kodai Senga this offseason, per SNY’s Andy Martino.

Despite a number of big names coming off the board over the last couple of days, both Nimmo and Senga remain unsigned and Martino notes that the Mets are “at least open-minded to stretching past where they wanted to in regards to their budget. This news emerges just hours after the front office bolstered the rotation with the addition of veteran starter José Quintana earlier on Tuesday. Quintana signed a two-year, $26 million deal, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Signing both Nimmo and Senga would ensure that the Mets blow past $300 million in total payroll next year. After signing ace starter Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million deal, coupled with the Quintana addition, the Mets currently have $298 million committed to payroll for the 2023 season. That factors in estimated raises for arbitration-eligible players.

According to Spotrac.com, Nimmo is projected to receive an annual average salary of $21.1 million, while Senga could get paid anywhere between $15 million and $20 million per year. Both players would be significant additions in terms of what they would offer on the field, but also in terms of what their signings would mean for the overall payroll in 2023.

Nimmo is currently at the Winter Meetings in San Diego where he is expected to meet with the New York Yankees. The market for the best remaining outfielder on the open market is intense, with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Seattle Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays also interested. Nimmo has remained in contact with the Mets but he isn’t expected to meet with them during the Winter Meetings.

As for Senga, the left-handed starter is one of the most intriguing free agents available this winter and his agent Joel Wolfe told reporters on Tuesday that his client has already received a number of five and six-year offers from teams. Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reported on Monday that the Mets hold very real interest in Senga and manager Buck Showalter made glowing comments about the free agent earlier in the week too.

Senga owns a stellar career 2.42 ERA with a 104-51 record in the NPB in Japan, and he projects to be a very good middle-of-the-rotation starter. He could be a perfect option for the Mets who are seeking another starter in order to really beef up their rotation for the 2023 season. As for Nimmo, he established himself as an elite leadoff hitter for the Mets in 2022 with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. He’s also a hugely respected figure in the clubhouse. If the Mets were to sign both Nimmo and Senga and propel their payroll above the $300 million mark, that would be another clear statement of intent by owner Steve Cohen who remains determined to bring a World Series to Queens.

The post Report: Mets Open To Signing Both Nimmo And Senga appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Chris Simon

Brandon Nimmo and the New York Mets have remained in contact but the two parties aren’t expected to meet in person this week at the MLB Winter Meetings, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Nimmo is in San Diego as big name free agents begin to fall off the board and his market seems pretty intense with the outfielder market razor thin after Nimmo and superstar slugger Aaron Judge. The Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are three of the teams believed to have interest in Nimmo.

While Nimmo isn’t scheduled to meet with the Mets front office this week, he will meet with the New York Yankees who are seeking two outfielders, according to Jon Heyman of The Post. Judge is obviously the main priority for the Yankees this winter, but Nimmo would provide a much-needed lefty bat and he’s used to the pressure of playing in New York.

And, per Heyman, if Nimmo does sign elsewhere then the Mets are looking into the possibility of signing veteran center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. The 32-year-old hit .228/.281/.369/.649 with seven home runs and 22 RBI in just 63 games for the Rays in 2022. While Kiermaier doesn’t have the same offensive ceiling as Nimmo, he probably owns a better glove and he’s renowned for his defensive prowess as well as his ability to make flashy plays in the field. Another one of the team’s backup plans–Cody Bellinger–signed a one-year deal with the Cubs.

However, it is worth noting that not all hope is lost when it comes to Nimmo returning to the Mets. After all, general manager Billy Eppler has made it clear that his team still has plenty of business to do even after signing ace starter Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million contract on Monday, and Nimmo was a huge part of this offense in 2022. Given their aspirations to compete for the World Series in 2023, it would make perfect sense for the Mets to bring the 29-year-old back and Nimmo’s agent, Scott Boras, had some interesting comments on Tuesday.

“There’s nothing that I see about them that has changed their direction or attitude toward getting the best players in the marketplace,” Boras said about the Mets being aggressive in free agency during his press availability at the Winter Meetings.

Given that Nimmo is the second-best outfielder available on the free agent market, Boras’ comments would suggest that the Mets are still very much interested in bringing one of their leaders back. Nimmo hit .274/.367/.433/.800 with 16 home runs, 30 doubles, seven triples and 64 RBI in 673 plate appearances in 2022. He established himself as a high-end leadoff hitter and his return would represent an important piece of business for the Mets as they continue to try and build a championship caliber roster.

The post Mets, Brandon Nimmo Not Scheduled To Meet At Winter Meetings appeared first on Metsmerized Online.