MMO Roundtable: What Our Ideal Mets Offseason Looks Like

We loved the 2024 Mets season – most of it, anyway. But just because the Mets made it all the way to the NLCS doesn’t mean that there aren’t moves that should be made. So, what should the Mets do this offseason? Here’s what our ideal offseason looks like for the Amazins.

David Melendi

The Mets are contenders. So ideally I want to see big, win-now moves. Juan Soto, Max Fried and Pete Alonso. Sean Manaea, Tanner Scott and Jesse Winker. I know it’s asking a lot (you asked for ideal, not a prediction) but the Dodgers’ lineup starts with three MVPs. It takes a lot to compete with that.

Christian De Block

The Mets have a lot of work to do but the resources are there to make it happen. Ideally, I’d like to see the team bring back Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Ryne Stanek. Priority No. 1 on the free agent market should be Juan Soto, players like him don’t come around too often. Find a way to get him, do whatever it takes. I’d love to see the Mets get active on the trade market as well. Two guys who could be in play: Garrett Crochet and Devin Williams.

Mike Mayer

This feels like the offseason Mets fans have been waiting for since Steve Cohen bought the team. They’re coming off a deep playoff run and one of the best players on the planet –Juan Soto–is available. I believe there’s a good chance Cohen simply outbids every other offer for Soto and that’s one hell of an offseason in itself. That won’t be it, the Mets need pitching and David Stearns knows that. I would expect them to add at least one top-of-the-rotation starter and a couple of depth pieces. I don’t think it’s all that unrealistic to envision the Mets getting a player group like Soto, Blake Snell, Sean Manaea, another starter, couple of bullpen arms and someone to cover either first or third base. And if the Mets miss out on Soto, I’d expect them to be aggressive in getting two bats like Alonso and Willy Adames or Adames and Anthony Santander, some combo that ensures the Mets lineup will be strong again in 2025.

Jack Ramsey

The Mets have their work cut out for them this winter. You could argue that making it to the NLCS has made this offseason 10 times more important for the Mets. Being a step away from a pennant but falling short hurts, and the Mets now need to find a way to bring it home. The looming Juan Soto sweepstakes takes precedent over all else. The Mets have been tied to names like Willy Adames, who would likely play third base and move Mark Vientos to first base. As of right now, the Mets only have three starters under contract, four if we are counting the injured Paul Blackburn. Pitching is a major priority, especially if you consider that the Mets desperately need to add a leverage reliever or two. First base seems to be lowest on the priority list, and investing into a third baseman long term is generally preferred over a first baseman. Everyone would love to see Alonso back in Queens, especially after his magical playoff run. However, logistics don’t appear to be on his side.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

There are clear priorities for the Mets this offseason: Juan Soto, pitching and Pete Alonso. Soto needs no introduction – he’d turn this already potent lineup into one of the best in baseball. On the pitching side of things, they have three players from the 2024 rotation on the free agent market, and they need to address the inconsistency of the bullpen. Re-signing Sean Manaea would be great, but I’d also keep an eye on Corbin Burnes or Garrett Crochet if they go with the trade route. For the bullpen, they need at least two or three arms that can be trusted in high-leverage situations. As for Alonso, he proved his worth in October. He’s still has a vital role in this team’s success, and it’s hard to imagine him wearing a different uniform. If Alonso were to walk, Christian Walker and Vlad Guerrero Jr. are two names the Mets should target.

Jack Sargente

While last off-season the Mets were picking from the clearance aisle, trying to land some revival projects, this winter feels different. The 2023 New York Mets weren’t in a spot to go for Shohei Ohtani, with a floundering team and nearly $100 million in dead money they would be eating. Now, they can go for the gusto, and I believe they’ll do just that. Juan Soto has been one of the best hitters in the world since he was a teenager, now it’s time for him to come to Queens. I would do whatever it takes to get Soto and Lindor in the same lineup. Next, while I would love to re-sign Pete, if the price is too high, there are plenty of solid backup options like a Christian Walker from Arizona. After that, I like the young core we have to develop and take control of most of the surrounding pieces in the field. Finally, to address the starting rotation, I think you must bring Manaea back. He is a great clubhouse guy and became a completely new pitcher last year. But to get another ace-type pitcher along side him, I would try to get a deal done with the White Sox for Garrett Crochet. You will be able to get his prime years as he is only 25, rather than paying a 30-year-old Corbin Burnes a premium for the latter half of his prime. The Mets have the resources, now it’s time to put together a championship team in Queens!

Michael Lloyd

Any player procurement plans in my mind with the Mets this winter begins and ends with the pursuit of Juan Soto. Soto is a lineup-changing offensive player. A franchise player…His presence alone changes the lineup, complexion and direction of this team in the short and long term. Augmenting their core with an offensive anchor like Soto, who is on a HOF trajectory at age 26, should be considered the linchpin acquisition in an offseason plan designed to bring a World Champion to Queens for the 1st time since 1986.

My plan: Strengthening and lengthening the lineup: NY Mets sign Juan Soto.

The NY Mets utilize their middle infield and corner infield depth and a legitimate pitching prospect in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire Shane McClanahan and reliever Pete Fairbanks. I’ll guess Crochet nets the White Sox a terrific package and the Rays cash in here on McClanahan’s health, youth and upside to net a five-player package from NY. I’m keeping one of Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty in the above deal to compete at third base and one of Luisangel Acuña or Jett Williams for second. Fairbanks becomes a setup man for the Mets and a healthy McClanahan becomes a top-of-the-rotation arm in NYC with the Mets.

As for those who will remain who were offered QO’s…

Manaea – departs
Severino – accepts
Alonso – departs (Sadly)

After Alonso signs with the Yankees, I decide the obvious and send a first base glove overnight express to Vientos and sign Willy Adames. Adames solves third, second and backup shortstop for me because of his skillset and versatility…Because I will keep one of Acuña/Williams in the Rays deal as well as one of Baty/Mauricio, this gives me an internal option at both spots moving forward. I’m keeping Jeff McNeil for depth and versatility.

I’m also signing relievers and starting options as needed to one- and two-year deals.
Mets sign Jack Flaherty to five-year deal with an opt-out after two.
Mets sign Colin Rea to two-year deal.
In the bullpen, the Mets re-sign Stanek and Matt Moore is signed as a left-handed reliever.

The post MMO Roundtable: What Our Ideal Mets Offseason Looks Like appeared first on Metsmerized Online.