The Mets have already added top-of-the-line left-handed hitters within the recreation this offseason, signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765MM deal. Nevertheless, Jon Heyman of the New York Submit suggests they had been lately in on one other large lefty bat: Joc Pederson. That was, in fact, earlier than Pederson agreed to a two-year, $37MM cope with the Rangers early on Monday morning.
Presumably, the Mets had been all for Pederson as a delegated hitter. Coming off a superb 2024 marketing campaign, he would have made a robust alternative for J.D. Martinez. Like Pederson, Martinez grew to become a free agent on the finish of the season. If the Mets are nonetheless out there for a DH after shedding out on Pederson, their choices are considerably restricted. Martinez is likely to be one of the best true DH left in free company. They might, in fact, pursue an outfielder like Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernández, however these two are searching for considerably more cash than Pederson, and, presumably, they would like to proceed taking part in the outfield.
Nevertheless, if it’s actually simply one other large bat the Mets are searching for, one of the best resolution may be essentially the most simple: re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso. Bob Nightengale of USA As we speak reported on Sunday that the Mets are nonetheless “pushing exhausting” to re-sign their homegrown slugger. If that’s true, it’s tough to think about Alonso ending up anyplace else. Groups just like the Yankees and Astros have already crammed their holes at first base. And when the Mets set their sights on a goal, they’re not straightforward to outbid.
Nightengale additionally notes that the Mets “like their inside choices” at third base – in different phrases, he implies they aren’t seemingly suitors for star third baseman Alex Bregman. Nevertheless, it’s not clear if that’s in any respect contingent on the staff re-signing Alonso. If Alonso is again in Queens subsequent season, Mark Vientos is the plain candidate to play third base. Vientos was one of many staff’s greatest hitters in 2024, whereas additionally offering succesful protection on the scorching nook. But, if Alonso indicators elsewhere, Vientos is more likely to transfer throughout the diamond and take over at first. Merely put, there’s a huge distinction between Vientos and the next-best choice at third base, which appears to be former prime prospect and unproven large leaguer Brett Baty. The opposite inside choices embrace Ronny Mauricio, who spent your complete 2024 season on the IL, and Luisangel Acuña, a second baseman/shortstop who has by no means performed third base professionally. It’s exhausting to imagine the Mets would really feel assured going into the season with no extra dependable participant at third base.
It’s simpler to simply accept the notion that the Mets are achieved including to their rotation, which Will Sammon of The Athletic suggests is the case. After agreeing to a three-year, $75MM deal with Sean Manaea, the Mets have now signed three notable free agent starters: Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Clay Holmes. These three will be part of Kodai Senga and David Peterson within the rotation, with Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Tylor Megill providing further depth. High prospect Brandon Sproat is one other arm who might begin for the Mets sooner or later in 2025.
With Senga and Manaea occupying the highest two spots within the rotation, the Mets don’t have a bona fide ace like Zack Wheeler of the Phillies or Chris Sale of the Braves. Nevertheless, their beginning pitching depth appears to be like prefer it’s going to be an asset. They’d absolutely discover room for Roki Sasaki if the NPB celebrity chooses to register Queens, however in any other case, the Mets appear to have all of the starters they will carry to start the 2025 marketing campaign.
