The New York Mets are in an exciting position.
New York was expected to use the 2024 season as a bridge year to hopefully contend in 2025 and beyond. The Mets struggled in 2023 and brought in David Stearns to transform the organization.
The Mets had a massive payroll in 2024, but a lot of that was tied up in previously handed-out deals. New York didn’t spend as heavily as it has recently last offseason with Stearns leading the organization and instead focused on short-term, cheap deals with veterans looking to bounce back in 2024.
New York’s strategy worked better than expected as the Mets won 89 games and made it all the way to the National League Championship Series before losing against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Mets’ payroll will get much more manageable this offseason, but the Mets are expected to go back to high-spending ways. New York is expected to pursue stars like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, but first needs to figure out whether or not it will be bringing back star first baseman Pete Alonso.
Alonso’s future has been very much in question over the last year. He will be one of the top free agents this winter, but NJ.com’s Manny Gómez predicted he will be back in New York in 2025.
“Alonso’s desire to be a ‘lifelong Met’ hasn’t wavered,” Gómez said. “Since the first day he reported to spring training in February when he first met with media members, he expressed wanting to remain in orange and blue for life…The problem has been that his agent has floated around a price tag — $200 million, according to a June report by USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale — that’s just too high when compared to first basemen of his caliber…
“His performance this season and general downward trend don’t warrant that type of payday. In 2024, Alonso slashed .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs, low production by his standard. Still, Alonso is a member of the Mets’ core and is a valuable run producer. He deserves to be a forever Met…Prediction: Alonso signs a seven-year deal with the Mets worth $175 million ($25 million AAV).”
Alonso has developed into one of the top sluggers in all of baseball. Although the 2024 season wasn’t his best, New York should bring him back. Maybe the Mets could afford to bring Alonso back while also pursuing a top starter. Hopefully, Gómez is right about Alonso.
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