The New York Mets have had a busy offseason, tackling the challenge of reshaping their roster after a year that fell short of high expectations. Despite the buzz surrounding Juan Soto’s record-breaking free agent deal, the team didn’t quite hit the mark last season.
This winter, the Mets made significant moves, including major free agent signings and impactful trades. Even with the exit of key players like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Díaz, they’ve managed to assemble a roster that’s turning heads.
While they’ve filled many gaps, some players expected to be traded remain on the roster. This could either be a strategic decision by the front office or a sign of challenges ahead.
Take Kodai Senga, for instance. Once a hot trade topic, Senga’s late-season slump saw his ERA balloon to 6.56 over his final eight starts, likely due to a rushed return from injury.
Yet, his first-half performance was stellar, boasting a 1.39 ERA over 77.2 innings. With a career 3.00 ERA over 285 innings, the Mets might be banking on his return to form once fully healthy.
On the flip side, Mark Vientos was on the trade block but stayed put. Despite a standout season in 2024, interest in the 26-year-old third baseman seemed lukewarm, possibly due to a shallow talent pool at third base this offseason.
Then there’s Sean Manaea, who’s looking to bounce back after a tough year. His 5.64 ERA over 60.2 innings led to a bullpen stint.
With his contract outweighing his production, he wasn’t a prime trade candidate. While solid in 2024, Manaea’s current value is more static than soaring.
As the Mets eye a playoff run, they’ll need to make strategic roster decisions in the coming months. In the fiercely competitive NL East, there’s no room for passengers. If these players don’t turn things around, the front office may have to make some hard calls to keep their postseason dreams alive.