Mets owner Steve Cohen threw his financial weight around in the club’s reported 15-year, $765 million contract with superstar outfielder Juan Soto. It’s a true inflection point for the franchise, not only in luring him away from the crosstown Yankees, but also in the continued efforts of rehabbing of the image of the Mets. Cohen has already helped take them from consistent punchline to a trip to the NLCS and the largest contract in sports history. What could possibly be next?
The Mets are off to a great start in securing Soto, but there’s still work to be done as the club attempts to win their first World Series since 1986. Here’s a look at each area of the team as it stands today.
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Mets projected lineup with Soto:
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – RF
Brandon Nimmo – LF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Starling Marte – DH
Jeff McNeil – 2B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Brett Baty – 3B
Tyrone Taylor/Jose Síri – CF
The big question at this point is what the future holds for Pete Alonso. Had Soto stayed with the Yankees or went to the Red Sox or Blue Jays, a reunion with Alonso would have made all the sense in the world for the Mets. Now, it’s a bit trickier. How much is Steve Cohen willing to spend? Would the Mets be better served to address multiple areas with their club rather than make another hefty investment into one player?
If the Mets decide to move on from Alonso, they could pivot to Mark Vientos at first base and give another chance to former top prospect Brett Baty at third base. It’s worth noting that Baty has been mentioned in trade rumors, so the Mets have options in terms of roster construction outside of purely looking at the free agent market. The Mets also have young players like Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio waiting for opportunities.
The Mets recently acquired Jose Síri from the Rays, presumably filling the role that Harrison Bader filled in 2024. As of today, he appears likely to share center field duties with Tyrone Taylor. With Brandon Nimmo and Soto serving as everyday pillars for the Mets’ lineup, this could mean Starling Marte will see most of his at-bats out of the designated hitter spot. The 36-year-old Marte is owed $19.5 million in the final year of his contract and could be a palatable trade option for another team if the Mets eat some of the salary.
RELATED: What do the Yankees do after missing out on Soto?
Mets projected rotation options
RHP Kodai Senga
RHP Frankie Montas
LHP David Peterson
RHP Clay Holmes
RHP Paul Blackburn
RHP Tylor Megill
The Mets finalized a two-year, $34 million contract with Montas last week before reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $38 million deal with Holmes over the weekend. It’s a promising start, but the Mets have a worse rotation today than when the 2024 season came to a close. Luis Severino has already departed on a three-year, $67 million contract, but Sean Manaea is still available after a brilliant season with the Mets where he posted a 3.47 ERA over 32 starts while receiving some down-ballot love in the NL Cy Young Award race.
A reunion with Manaea is possible, but the free agent market is rich with alternatives. Corbin Burnes and Max Fried are likely to land bigger contracts than Manaea, but pitchers like Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Nathan Eovaldi, and Nick Pivetta are in a similar stratosphere.
The most interesting free agent pitcher is Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, who was officially posted for MLB teams on Monday, December 9. It’s not a normal free agent situation, as he’ll be signing as part of the 2025 international amateur signing period. There’s unlikely to be a resolution until late January. As of now, the Dodgers and Padres are viewed as the favorites for Sasaki.
The trade market also figures to be active, with White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet the most popular target around the league. Luis Castillo of the Mariners, Jesus Luzardo of the Marlins, and Jordan Montgomery of the Diamondbacks are among the other pitchers being mentioned in trade rumors.
RELATED: 2024-25 MLB Free Agent Tracker
Mets projected bullpen
Edwin Díaz
Reed Garrett
José Butto
Dedniel Núñez
Dylan Covey
Justin Hagenman
Danny Young
This is likely where Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns will try to test his knowledge and might to secure high-upside targets rather than shop at the top of the market. Ryne Stanek thrived after being acquired by the Mets last season and makes for a logical target among free agent relievers.