NY Mets 2024-2025 offseason thread

[Orangezoo]

I would be happier with one ace though… these guys are all number 2 pitchers or worse. But maybe the Dodgers proved that you don’t need an ace to win the WS… they hit their way to the title.

I’d argue they had a lot of depth in their pitching staff and because of that could use relief games as a weapon vs fallback. I think even without an Ace Stearns is building a pretty deep pitching staff to that same effect along with adding more bats to go with. It’s a reasonable strategy even if it’s really not proven to consistently help you win titles .. yet.

 

[SWC75]

Mets mailbag: What’s the holdup with Pete Alonso? Are the Mets done in the rotation?

What's the plan if the Mets don't sign Alonso? Which prospect has a chance to make an impact in 2025? Will the Mets add one more starter?

www.nytimes.com

"At the start of the offseason, The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Alonso to receive $140 million over five years. Alonso’s camp could argue he deserves more than five years because of his high-end power and track record for durability. Meanwhile, after going wild for Juan Soto, the Mets may prefer to keep things at five years or even go shorter than that on other players (particularly those not in their mid-20s)."

 

[sutomcat]

Mets mailbag: What’s the holdup with Pete Alonso? Are the Mets done in the rotation?

What's the plan if the Mets don't sign Alonso? Which prospect has a chance to make an impact in 2025? Will the Mets add one more starter?

www.nytimes.com

"At the start of the offseason, The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Alonso to receive $140 million over five years. Alonso’s camp could argue he deserves more than five years because of his high-end power and track record for durability. Meanwhile, after going wild for Juan Soto, the Mets may prefer to keep things at five years or even go shorter than that on other players (particularly those not in their mid-20s)."

I don’t think anyone is giving him anything close to $140 for 5 years. He should have taken the $158 for 5 deal the Mets offered way back when.

My understanding is the only offer he has is $90 for 3 years. From the Mets. That would set a record for the most pay per year for a 1B. That offer has an opt put after every year. Great deal for Pete. He should take it.

If he waits mich longer, I think the Mets will sign Bregman and Pete will have no choice but to find a new team.

It sounds like there wis little chance the Mets will add Bregman and sign Pete. I think they add another bat but it will be someone like Jesse Winker, who might split DH duties with Marte.

It is either Roki or nothing adding starting pitchers. And Stearns will do the bargain basement thing to fill out the pitching staff. I think we get an experience lefty and another experienced guy to help in the 7th and 8th innings.

 

[Cusefan95]

I don’t think anyone is giving him anything close to $140 for 5 years. He should have taken the $158 for 5 deal the Mets offered way back when.

My understanding is the only offer he has is $90 for 3 years. From the Mets. That would set a record for the most pay per year for a 1B. That offer has an opt put after every year. Great deal for Pete. He should take it.

If he waits mich longer, I think the Mets will sign Bregman and Pete will have no choice but to find a new team.

It sounds like there wis little chance the Mets will add Bregman and sign Pete. I think they add another bat but it will be someone like Jesse Winker, who might split DH duties with Marte.

It is either Roki or nothing adding starting pitchers. And Stearns will do the bargain basement thing to fill out the pitching staff. I think we get an experience lefty and another experienced guy to help in the 7th and 8th innings.

I think Pete (Boras?) badly misjudged what the market for him was going to be. Reality is he has the most value to the Mets due to his marketability (which I don’t think would exist to nearly the same degree anywhere else) - and it’s nowhere near what Boras and Pete were targeting. I’d like to see Pete back, but agree the Mets need to move on to someone with more realistic salary expectations if they can’t get a deal done soon.

 

[GreekFreak]

New York Mets Top 50 Prospects (2025)

Prospects1500 brings you the Top 50 prospects for each system in baseball. This is our New York Mets Top 50 prospects for 2025.

www.prospects1500.com

 

[OrangeFoo]

Very quiet week in Mets land. Hopefully next week starts to bring some clarity on Pete and Bregman and Roki.

As things stand today, Mets are worse off than last year… hitting is better with Soto, but they need either a 3b or 1b. They also don’t have a DH unless they plan to use Marte there.

Starting staff is slightly worse than last year unless converting that one yankee from reliever to starter works out. The bullpen is much worse than last year.

I hope for Bergman or Alonso, resign Winkler so they can platoon him with Marte and get some of the higher end relievers… let’s not go shopping in the sale aisle for bullpen.

 

[GreekFreak]

I’m getting less optimistic about resigning Pete. He had previously turned down the Mets offer of 7 years $158 million. I don’t see the Mets even putting that on the table again. With Boras as Pete’s agent he will likely play hardball to save face since it appears that he misread the market for Pete. At this point I think Pete may go elsewhere or accept a short term deal with opt outs from the Mets.

 

[Cusefan95]

I’m getting less optimistic about resigning Pete. He had previously turned down the Mets offer of 7 years $158 million. I don’t see the Mets even putting that on the table again. With Boras as Pete’s agent he will likely play hardball to save face since it appears that he misread the market for Pete. At this point I think Pete may go elsewhere or accept a short term deal with opt outs from the Mets.

Listening to David Samson yesterday, he didn't think there was much of a market for Pete - and none at the asking price. Boras is currently trying to create demand out of thin air, but its unlikely the Mets will get lured in by that. This will probably play out similar to the 4 guys Boras overvalued last year - there will be a last minute, short term deal with opt outs with the Mets right before or after spring training starts. Its unlikely opt-outs for a 1st baseman who is over 30 and his performance has been declining, and will likely need to be only a DH soon has any value at all...but it'll have to be included to allow Boras to save face and maybe not get fired by Pete.

The risk for Pete is the Mets decide not to play chicken and move on from him before it ever gets to that point...he's in real danger of being left in no-man's land at the end of this right now.

 

[upperdeck]

Why is the bull pen much worse?

if you get Nunez/Butto healthy and Diaz is at least mostly Ok like he was at the end

Foley maybe becomes decent again
Garret had some real good stretches

I wonder why no movement on Stanek since he finished strong
Young who knows

Will Raley come back at some point

Really need 1 or 2 pickups to be much better than they were most of last year

 

[SWC75]

David Wright reflects on Mets’ plans to retire his jersey: 5 takeaways from No. 5

Wright savored conversations with Tom Seaver, a message from Keith Hernandez, serving as captain and more.

www.nytimes.com

"Every year, Seaver would invite Wright to his vineyard in Northern California. Seaver would tell Wright to bring boots because he was going to put Wright to work. But as a reward, Seaver would offer wine and dinner. The two Mets icons never experienced that get-together before Seaver’s death in 2020.

Wright calls it one of his biggest regrets.

“I never took him up on that offer,” Wright said. “And to this day, I wish I would have taken him up on that offer.”

 

[GreekFreak]

David Wright reflects on Mets’ plans to retire his jersey: 5 takeaways from No. 5

Wright savored conversations with Tom Seaver, a message from Keith Hernandez, serving as captain and more.

www.nytimes.com

"Every year, Seaver would invite Wright to his vineyard in Northern California. Seaver would tell Wright to bring boots because he was going to put Wright to work. But as a reward, Seaver would offer wine and dinner. The two Mets icons never experienced that get-together before Seaver’s death in 2020.

Wright calls it one of his biggest regrets.

“I never took him up on that offer,” Wright said. “And to this day, I wish I would have taken him up on that offer.”

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

As I have gotten older I understand the axiom that as one reflects on their life they usually don't regret the the things that that have done but rather the things they didn’t do.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Why is the bull pen much worse?

if you get Nunez/Butto healthy and Diaz is at least mostly Ok like he was at the end

Foley maybe becomes decent again
Garret had some real good stretches

I wonder why no movement on Stanek since he finished strong
Young who knows

Will Raley come back at some point

Really need 1 or 2 pickups to be much better than they were most of last year

You said it.. we have a LOT of maybes and possible based on injuries. Until I see these guys back and pitching like last year I think the bullpen is not as good as last year. Also we are a few arms short I believe.

I trust Stearns, but it would be nice if he didn't shop in the clearance aisle for relievers.

Baseball is the only sport I can think of where major free agents don't sign until after camps start. I can't wait until Borass is retired.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Looks like Polar Bear is out according to Martino. What a pity on both sides… thanks Borasss.

I’ve been reading that Pete might go to Toronto.. not sure what they are thinking if that’s the case. Why let Vlad walk for free next year if they sign Pete.

 

[GreekFreak]

I really hope this Alonso news is just gamesmanship on the part of the Mets. I really wanted Pete back but not (significantly) overpay to do it. A little overpay at a reduced number of years okay but a long term big money contract - no way.

 

[Cusefan95]

I really hope this Alonso news is just gamesmanship on the part of the Mets. I really wanted Pete back but not (significantly) overpay to do it. A little overpay at a reduced number of years okay but a long term big money contract - no way.

It’s almost certainly gamesmanship - there’s no market for Pete. The Mets want him to realize that quickly and sign, not wait until the last possible moment so they’re trying to speed up the end game. There’s a chance this ends up in a mess like several Boras guys last year, and he’s forced to sign a one year “prove it” deal just to get on a roster - at that point anyone could sign him, but it almost certainly wouldn’t be the Mets.

I still think he’ll eventually cave, sign a 3/30 contract (even at that, the last year will be wasted money…) and be on the Mets again.

 

[SWC75]

It’s almost certainly gamesmanship - there’s no market for Pete. The Mets want him to realize that quickly and sign, not wait until the last possible moment so they’re trying to speed up the end game. There’s a chance this ends up in a mess like several Boras guys last year, and he’s forced to sign a one year “prove it” deal just to get on a roster - at that point anyone could sign him, but it almost certainly wouldn’t be the Mets.

I still think he’ll eventually cave, sign a 3/30 contract (even at that, the last year will be wasted money…) and be on the Mets again.

Pete hit 34 home runs and 4 more in the postseason in an off year.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Pete hit 34 home runs and 4 more in the postseason in an off year.

Apparently the Mets and the rest of the league believe $90mm for 3 years is the most he’s worth. Like seven other teams addressed their first base gaps without signing Pete including the Yankees. As the saying goes… “ball don’t lie”, in this case the ball is the contract offers Pete is or is not getting.

If he wants to get more money to play for a non contending team, more power to him. Toronto is a wonderful city.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Apparently the Mets and the rest of the league believe $90mm for 3 years is the most he’s worth. Like seven other teams addressed their first base gaps without signing Pete including the Yankees. As the saying goes… “ball don’t lie”, in this case the ball is the contract offers Pete is or is not getting.

If he wants to get more money to play for a non contending team, more power to him. Toronto is a wonderful city.

The way teams value 1b/DH types with no speed and not great all around hitting tools has greatly changed the last half decade. They basically don't value them. Power only no longer cuts it. Especially for guys hitting 30 years of age. You can still get a team to give you a fat contract, but that contract will be for one year.

 

[sutomcat]

The reported ‘last ditch’ Mets offer to Pete was in the $68-70 million range for 3 years.

Hiring Boras and firing his old agent, who had a $158 million offer on the table that Pete passed on, was a bad mistake. Pete bet on himself and lost.

I assume at least one team will be willing to beat the last ditch Met offer. But even if no one does, the Mets have made it clear they need a decision or will move on. I would guess this last offer has an expiration date. Probably the end of this weekend. It may have already expired.

If so, I am sad. I am quite sure without Boras giving his advice, the Mets and Pete would have come to an agreement. Despite all the rhetoric, I still think a deal might get done.

I think the Mets add that big hitter they need by Sunday at 10 pm. Sounds like they are close to adding a big name reliever too.

 

[Cusefan95]

Apparently the Mets and the rest of the league believe $90mm for 3 years is the most he’s worth. Like seven other teams addressed their first base gaps without signing Pete including the Yankees. As the saying goes… “ball don’t lie”, in this case the ball is the contract offers Pete is or is not getting.

If he wants to get more money to play for a non contending team, more power to him. Toronto is a wonderful city.

1 WAR is worth about $8MM/yr. Last year Pete’s was 2.6, so he had a $20MM season. It’s the second year in a row of dropping, near a time when all guys with just power start to decline - so that may be closer to his ceiling going forward. Last year may not have been a “down year” - it was a slightly early start to an inevitable trend.

His career average WAR is 3.8 - so after his rookie year he basically settled in to being a $30MM/yr guy. He’s definitely only worth 3, 4 years max to the Mets because after that he’ll probably need to be DH - and the Mets probably have Soto slotted there five years from now. But the likelihood a guy who averages a WAR of 3.8 up to age 30 will still be a 3.8 WAR guy in three years is really, really low. Pete’s more likely to get hit by lightning than hit 3.8 WAR in three years unless a three inch needle is involved.

What’s happened in the last 5-10 years is all teams heavily invest in analytics staff - and none of the analytics would say giving Pete more than 3/30 is a good idea. If, as reported, the Mets offer is even lower - that means they’re sticking to what they project his actual value to be…he’s not going to average a 3.8 WAR for the next three years.

 

[GreekFreak]

I think Pete’s heart is in NY as is his potential non-baseball income. We will have to see how much of a factor that is.

 

[Cusefan95]

The Nimmo contract and the $158MM offer to Alonso are enough to justify the firing of Billy Eppler. I’m absolutely thrilled he’s gone and Sterns is running the show now. Nimmo was smart to jump on that offer; Pete should have when he had the chance.

I’m noting this since I see some comments on social media like: “why is Nimmo worth his contract and Pete’s not getting anything close to that!” The answer is Nimmo isn’t worth his contract, it’s part of why Eppler is gone, and Sterns isn’t required to make stupid business decisions in the interest of “fairness” just because his predecessor was bad at his job.

Hopefully Pete comes to the realization he’s misplayed this as badly as possible and settles for what the Mets are offering (or close to it) by about noon today…much longer than that and I think the ship has well and truly sailed.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Tanner Scott & Alex Bregman (3B, MV to 1B) we will see you both in queens

Pete is gonna love San Francisco

 

[SWC75]

$30.000,000 a year seems like a good salary. I wonder what Lou Gehrig got?

 

[donniesyracuse]

The Nimmo contract and the $158MM offer to Alonso are enough to justify the firing of Billy Eppler. I’m absolutely thrilled he’s gone and Sterns is running the show now. Nimmo was smart to jump on that offer; Pete should have when he had the chance.

I’m noting this since I see some comments on social media like: “why is Nimmo worth his contract and Pete’s not getting anything close to that!” The answer is Nimmo isn’t worth his contract, it’s part of why Eppler is gone, and Sterns isn’t required to make stupid business decisions in the interest of “fairness” just because his predecessor was bad at his job.

Hopefully Pete comes to the realization he’s misplayed this as badly as possible and settles for what the Mets are offering (or close to it) by about noon today…much longer than that and I think the ship has well and truly sailed.

I think Nimmo is worth every cent. Even in a down year he was more valuable than Alonso.