After an exciting end to the season in the NLCS, the surprising Mets have “work to do”

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Yes, the New York Mets have a lot to be happy about after a rousing streak of unexpected success this season.

All those warm fuzzies were justified.

Now the cold reality: Pete Alonso's uncertain future is far from the only priority this winter.

New York will likely have about a dozen free agents to replace — including Alonso — once contract options are finalized, and the pitching staff is particularly thin right now.

“We could look completely different,” star shortstop Francisco Lindor said.

The good news is that the Mets have an owner with deep pockets, an established core with playoff experience — and perhaps more than $100 million off their payroll as they head for a surprise run to the National League Championship Want to build a series.

“We have everyone we need to get this going and finish it,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said.

What was intended to be a transitional season under rookie manager Carlos Mendoza and first-year president of baseball operations David Stearns with an eye on 2025 instead morphed from a 22-33 start into a thrilling October ride that ultimately ended with two on Sunday With fewer wins, the World Series ended with a loss in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York made a series of stirring comebacks under pressure and hit several game-winning home runs, creating fond memories that will last forever.

“We have become a family. And now we have raised the bar,” Mendoza said in Los Angeles. “We should strive for today’s expectations every year, which is to play well into October.”

To accomplish that, owner Steve Cohen will have to fill holes on the field.

They start, of course, with Alonso, the fan-favorite first baseman who was drafted by the Mets in 2016 and is already ranked third with 226 career homers in six major league seasons – a season shortened by the pandemic on the franchise list.

The four-time All-Star, who played in all 175 games for New York this year, delivered two three-run homers in October to help win elimination games and finished the postseason with four homers, 10 RBIs and hitting .999 OPS.

“I want more moments like this,” said Alonso. “I'm really proud of what I've been able to achieve here. I feel like I put it out there every day.”

Alonso, who turns 30 in December, is represented by agent Scott Boras, who often likes to test the market with high-profile clients.

It's difficult to predict exactly what contract Alonso will get this offseason, but he appears to be a good fit for several potential suitors – including the Astros, Cubs, Giants, Nationals, Red Sox and Yankees.

Cohen and the Mets could focus more on an even bigger free agent fish, outfielder Juan Soto. Or maybe New York will keep Alonso after the 2022 playoff season, as well as Nimmo and closer Edwin Díaz.

If not, the Mets could move young slugger Mark Vientos from third base to first and give Brett Baty another chance at third base. Acclaimed youngster Ronny Mauricio, who made his debut in 2023 before missing this season with a knee injury, could also be in the mix.

New York needs a designated hitter as Jesse Winker and JD Martinez are eligible to become free agents. Rookie speedster Luisangel Acuña could compete for playing time at second base, where Jeff McNeil is having a rough season, or in center field, where Tyrone Taylor is arbitration eligible and Harrison Bader is once again in free agency.

The bullpen will need to be largely rebuilt ahead of Díaz, while the late-season rotation likely only returns David Peterson (10-3, 2.90 ERA) and Tylor Megill (4-5, 4.04). Kodai Senga, the team's projected No. 1 starter this season, is hoping to regain his All-Star form after pitching just 10 1/3 innings all year due to shoulder, calf and triceps injuries.

“This year has been a frustrating year,” Senga said through a translator. “This offseason I have to look at a lot of things individually because when I came back from rehab, things just weren't going the way they were supposed to. That is a fact. In order to improve my performance again, I need to review this offseason and take a closer look at things one at a time.”

Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.47 ERA), who emerged as a personnel ace in the second half of a breakout season, shed tears of pride for his close-knit Mets during a clubhouse interview following the season-ending loss.

Still, the big left-hander appears likely to decline a $13.5 million player option for 2025. That would make Manaea, Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91) and Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75) all free agents. The veteran trio combined to make 94 starts in the regular season and 10 more in the playoffs.

“If I were an agent, I would be very happy. They made a lot of money. As a teammate it will be difficult because they have made a lot of money and who knows where they will end up? “said Lindor, referring specifically to Manaea and Alonso. “They are my brothers. I wish them nothing but the best and hopefully they maximize everything they want.”

Jose Buttó (7-3, 2.55 ERA, three saves), who has transitioned from a starter to a valuable backup this season, could return to the rotation.

Top pitching prospect Christian Scott is expected to miss 2025 after Tommy John surgery, and Brandon Sproat is pretty much the only highly touted arm in the upper echelons of the farm system.

Stearns, however, has been particularly adept at cobbling together high-caliber pitching staffs, not just this season with the Mets but since his time leading the small-budget Milwaukee Brewers.

Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell are the top starters on the free agent market.

“We already have a culture here. “We set a precedent,” Lindor said. “When you come to this organization, you have to work. You have to work, you have to respect everyone, and you will be held accountable for every action.”

In the fourth season after Cohen purchased the Mets from the Wilpon family, New York led the major leagues with a $332 million payroll and must pay a $96 million luxury tax.

The blueprint since Cohen's arrival has been the Dodgers, a perennial winner in a huge media market with a big payroll but also a deep enough farm system to overcome serious injuries.

The resilient Mets stared the injury-depleted Dodgers in the eye during the NLCS, shutting out four times in six games, going 46-26 overall and setting a postseason record with 42 walks in the series.

“That should be our goal — to not just be like them, but better than them,” Mendoza said. “We have work to do.”

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