With just over five weeks left before the Mets report to spring training, it’s time to evaluate the team’s roster.
The Mets have been active in free agency, signing the biggest prize, Juan Soto, to a 15-year, $765 million contract on the eve of the Winter Meetings, and bringing back left-hander Sean Manaea for three years, $75 million. Besides that, they’ve made several smaller (and maybe curious) moves, adding to the team’s pitching depth and bench.
They agreed to lead the experiment to convert former Yankees closer Clay Holmes into a starter, signed Frankie Montas, an inconsistent arm with a history of injuries, to a two-year deal, and added a back-end rotation filler in Griffin Canning, among other moves.
The offseason is far from over, however, and the Mets still need to make a few moves to ensure a place in the playoffs (and beyond) next season.
Below, is the team’s projected Opening Day roster, including notes and remaining needs, if the 2025 season started today.
Pitchers (13)
- Sean Manaea, LHP
- Kodai Senga
- David Peterson, LHP
- Frankie Montas
- Clay Holmes
- Griffin Canning
Bullpen
- Paul Blackburn, LHP
- Edwin Díaz
- Reed Garrett
- José Buttó
- Dedniel Núñez
- Sean Reid-Foley
- Danny Young, LHP
Notes: While the Mets don’t have a proven No. 1 starter in their rotation, they have the best depth in the National League, especially if the Holmes experiment works out. Of the 13 pitchers projected to make the Opening Day roster — if the season started today — nine have starting experience, including Buttó, who could still compete for a job as a starter.
The Mets are committed to utilizing a six-man rotation this season when necessary, with Manaea, Senga, Peterson, Montas and Holmes owning the top five spots. The sixth man will come down to Canning and Blackburn, who underwent a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair on Oct. 11.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns indicated that Blackburn is expected to be ready for Opening Day at the Winter Meetings. He did not reveal whether the left-hander would return as a starter or a reliever.
Needs: The Mets need to add another difference-maker to the pitching staff, whether in the rotation or bullpen. A No. 1 starter appears to be out of the question with the top free-agent starters off the market.
There is still hope that Japanese ace Roki Sasaki signs with the Mets — he is believed to like the Mets’ pitching program — but he can pick any team and hasn’t indicated interest yet.
They could seek a trade with the San Diego Padres for Dylan Cease, but a move like this comes with a steep cost in pay and prospects. The latter is something Stearns seems unwilling to give up on yet.
Another solution might be to sign free agent reliever Jeff Hoffman, who is seeking a deal similar to Holmes’s three-year, $38 million. Hoffman would be the perfect set-up man for Edwin Díaz, adding length to the bullpen and removing stress from the rotation.
Batters (13)
- Francisco Lindor (S), SS
- Juan Soto (L), RF
- Mark Vientos, 1B
- Brandon Nimmo (L), LF
- Starling Marte, DH
- Jeff McNeil (L), 2B
- Jose Siri, CF
- Brett Baty (L), 3B
- Francisco Alvarez, C
Bench
- Tyrone Taylor, OF
- Luisangel Acuña, IF/OF
- Luis Torrens, C
- Jared Young (L), 1B/RF
Notes: Unlike the pitching staff, the Mets lack hitting depth. They have yet to resolve their vacancy at first base, necessitating Vientos to shift over from third base.
This will open up third base for Baty again, but would ultimately weaken the lineup. His presence doesn’t inspire much confidence as he’s struggled every time he’s given a big-league opportunity. In 169 games across three seasons, Baty is slashing .215/.282/.325 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs.
He has added versatility to his game since being sent to Triple-A Syracuse last season, getting time at second base and the outfield; he also excelled at the plate, batting .252/.349/.504 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs.
Baty could be used as a trade piece for a player like Padres first baseman Luis Arráez, who will become a free agent at the end of this season. Teams have inquired about the young infielder, indicating that there could be interest there.
Needs: New York needs to resolve its corner infield issue immediately. The best solution here would be to re-sign Pete Alonso, but both sides seem to be far apart in negotiations.
The latest report indicated that the Mets offered Alonso a three-year, $90 million contract with opt-outs. But the first baseman is seeking a long-term contract. There is still time to negotiate, but the first baseman appears to be gaining interest elsewhere with the Los Angeles Angels “looking at him” as a potential option.
If New York fails to bring back Alonso, it could target Alex Bregman, who would lengthen the Mets’ lineup and improve their corner defense. Bregman features a different hitter profile than Alonso — he’s more of a contact hitter who doesn’t strike out as much — and won’t provide the type of lineup protection the Mets would like for Soto, but he brings postseason experience and a veteran presence to the clubhouse.
