Retrospective: The 2024 New York Mets

To be complete honest with you, I really believed this 2024 New York Mets season was going to end with a bottle of champagne instead of a glass of bourbon, but here we are. I’m still feeling fairly numb to what just transpired a few hours ago, but for the most part, I am coming to realize the 2024 baseball season has ended and I won’t be powering up the MLB app to listen to the voices of Howie Rose and Keith Raad until February.

Truth be told I’m a 26-year-old man and still have trouble finding ways to express myself. Some people go to therapy, some people chug a gallon of ‘Mad Dog’, and some people take it out on a punching bag or treadmill. For me, I write. That is exactly what I’m doing here. The sentences penciled (or typed?) into this blog may not be completely coherent (or AP style correct), but I need to reflect on what was one of the greatest summers of my life, both as a sports fan and as a person.

We don’t often venture into our personal lives in these blogs or on our podcasts, but I have at least made an effort to include whatever readers or listeners we’ve had in on a semblance of what is going on in mine. For those that don’t know, I got married this May to my absolutely incredibly perfect wife Rose. Since then I’ve seen a handful of my close friends tie the knot, traveling to my hometown, down South, and in between to reconnect with people I consider close to my heart. I also went on a physical health journey with my close friend Mat (that’s not a typo he spells his name with one T) and lost over 60 pounds between the winter of 2023 and now. I, like every NFL player entering training camp, am in the best shape of my life and plan on continuing that to get rid of a beer belly and double chin until I can do 10 pull ups without reaching for the inhaler.

Between getting married, finally getting back under 200 pounds, spending the most time I have with great friends in years, and navigating an adult life the best I have since graduating from Auburn, I consider 2024 the best year I’ve lived on this rock orbiting in the middle? of the ever-growing landscape of space.

This is probably the time in this blog you ask yourself; “What does this have to do with the 2024 New York Mets?” Well, I was convinced the Mets winning the World Series would cap off what I consider the greatest year of my life. As you all know that did not happen. The Mets lost. But as Francisco Alvarez chopped a ground ball to second base to signal the end of the 2024 campaign I did not feel sad. I felt grateful. I felt grateful to witness the comebacks, gimmicks, and nonsense of a magical season. I felt grateful that my wife was sitting by my side, wearing a rally cap as she smiled and laughed at the 3 inside-out Mets caps stacked above my clammy forehead and tear-filled eyes.

The 2024 Mets may have not finished the job, but they gave me an amazing memory to coincide with what was the best summer of my life. When I think of the summer of 2024, I’ll think of May 25, the day I married the love of my life. Then I’ll think of our Honeymoon in the Caymans, where we rode horses on the beach and I somehow did not fall off, to later watch an episode of ‘The Circle’, just to wake up hungover one morning to see Jorge Lopez throw his glove into the Citi Field stands. Then, I’ll remember the 2024 Mets. Not many things can make me run around like a 5-year old, leaving my oversized shorts to fall to my knees, as I wake up Rose saying “He did it, he fucking did it!” But the Mets can. Not many things can give me an idea to walk 4 miles to the pool in the heat of summer with a single airpod in my ear. But the Mets can. And you wanna know a crazy thing about love? My in-laws were trying to find a night to have a nice dinner, but it was during Mets vs. Braves; Rose’s response? We can’t; The Mets are on.

Rose, if you are reading this, and you probably are because I showed you, that means the world to me. The fact you sing along with me “Let’s go Met’s… dooo. duh, doo” and listen to my dumb ass mimic the cadence of “peerless boilers America’s best built boiler and tankless waterheaters America’s best built tankless water-heater” 162 times a season is a testament to you.

This team was special, and it coincided with a special moment in my life. I’ll never forget the year 2024, and I’ll never forget the 2024 New York Mets.

*thank you for dealing with my shit Rose. And I’m sorry I was sweating out Mets vs. Brewers at your wedding Matt. 

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It’s now been two days since I wrote the above reflection and while I’m still hurting (I know I’m a psycho) my brain is in a good enough spot to write about the actual baseball “Xs and Os”. I think the easiest way to do so will be going through my thoughts on the players set to return and the impending free agents before finishing with my wish list heading into the winter.

The Core

Steve Cohen and David Sterns will have nearly $170 Million coming off the books this winter. Most of that money is tied up among players that had little-to-nothing to do with the Mets this season. For the most part, the Mets core will remain in tact. Here is where things (probably?) stand with the current contracts on the roster.

Lineup

1. (SS) Francisco Lindor: Oh captain, my captain. Francisco Lindor will lead off games for my favorite ball club throughout the next decade. I have full confidence in ‘Mr. Smile’ to bring a World Series trophy to Queens, and probably win a MVP or two doing so.
2. (RF) Jeff McNeil: Jeff had a weird 2024 season that included a terrible start and a broken wrist. Still, when he is at his best, the 32-year-old is a batting title contender with absolutely elite bat-to-ball skills. I want to see him retire a New York Met, and hopefully 2025 can be a great bounce-back season for ‘The Squirrel’.
3. (LF) Brandon Nimmo: Brandon Nimmo is an absolute warrior that loves the New York Mets. The dude embodies everything I feel as a fan and takes it onto the diamond. He’ll be in Queens for the next decade along with Lindor, and I couldn’t feel better about it.
4. (1B) Mark Vientos: Mark Vientos showed to the entire baseball world this fall what I had seen throughout the summer. The 24-year-old is a star, and could become a super star as soon as next season. He’s still not eligible for arbitration until 2027, and I would love David Sterns to avoid the ordeal all together by locking him up long-term at some point before.
5. (C) Francisco Alvarez: ‘Alvy’ may be yet to break out into stardom like Vientos above him, but I have full faith in the 22-year-old to hold down the catcher position in Queens for the next decade. Pitchers love throwing to him, the fans love watching him swing out of his shoes, and his teammates adore him. This kid is special. Like Vientos, David Sterns should lock up Alvarez to a long-term extension before too long.
6. (3B) Brett Baty: Many Mets fans, including myself, believed Brett Baty would be the player Mark Vientos has become. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way for the former first round pick, but he’ll have the chance to at least earn a big league roster spot, and maybe more, depending on the Mets offseason.
7. (CF) Tyrone Taylor: Tyrone Taylor is the Collin Cowgill of Juan Lagares’s. A defensive wizard in center field, Taylor is so much fun to watch and I hope he hunkers down the most important position in the outfield for the next few seasons.
8. (DH) Ronny Mauricio/Starling Marte: Ronny Mauricio is not going to be the Mets opening day designated hitter (we’ll get to why later) but he could be a key contributor for the Mets in 2025. The 23-year-old might have more raw power than Mark Vientos (69 home runs over his last 3 minor league seasons). If he can stay healthy and limit bad swings, I believe the Dominican Republic native will have a successful major league career. Marte is an old-man at this point and his time in the outfield is likely coming to an end. I love the guy, but he may be a trade piece for David Sterns this winter.
9. (2B) Luisangel Acuña: The Mets probably would not have made the postseason this year if not for the incredible stretch of play Luisangel Acuña gave his team while Francisco Lindor dealt with a bad back in mid-September. The prized prospect from the Max Scherzer trade is not going to keep up a 50 home run pace over a full season, but he showed he can be a contributor at the big league level for years to come. While Baty and Mauricio will have to compete heavily for a starting spot, Acuña has a decent chance to hold down second base for most of the summer in 2025.

Rotation

1. Kodai Senga: Kodai gutted through mechanical issues in the postseason after starting just one game for the Mets in 2024. While I have confidence in Senga’s ability to be the ace of this staff, I have much less faith in his ability to make 30+ starts in 2025. I really hope he can though.
2. David Peterson: David Peterson became one of my favorite Mets of all-time after the sub-3 ERA season he had in 2024. Peterson could have let three straight below-average seasons derail his career, but the 29-year-old instead became one of the most important players on the roster from July on. I can’t wait to see what he does with a new opportunity in 2025.
3. Paul Blackburn: Paul came to New York at the deadline but went down with an injury after just a few starts. The 30-year-old may not be ready for Spring Training, but should contribute to the rotation throughout next season.
4. Tylor Megill: ‘Big Drip’ seems like a great guy and his “stuff” on the mound is definitely above-average, but if he receives more than 20 starts in 2025 that is not a good sign for the Mets.
5. Max Kranick: I wrote about Kranick this spring but injuries derailed any chance he had to make an impact in 2024. Like I said about Tylor, Kranick seems like a nice guy, but if he is making starts every fifth day next season something went terribly wrong.

Bullpen

1. Edwin Diaz: I have full faith in Edwin Diaz going forward.
2. Reed Garrett: I have full faith in Reed Garrett going forward.
3. Jose Butto: Jose could very well be asked to start games next season. I think he has a bright future either way.
4. Sean Reid-Foley: Forever a question mark because of health and inability to throw strikes, I like Reid-Foley enough as a 6th inning bridge to the back-end of the ‘pen.
5. Dedniel Nunez: Please stay healthy king.
6. Phil Maton, Huascar Brazoban, Danny Young, Alex Young, Tyler Zuber: These guys are all probably on the squad next year. I don’t have much faith in any of them

The In-house Free Agents

One of the saddest parts about the 2024 Mets season ending without a pennant was that the 2025 team is going to look drastically different. With most of the rotation and a good chunk of the lineup due to hit the open market, things are going to change in Queens. Still, I’d like to see some of the guys come back. My opinion does not mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but here is what I would do as GM.

Position Players

1. (INF) Jose Iglesias: Thank you for your contributions to the vibe of this team and on the field, but the middle infield is just too crowded to justify what will probably be a multi-year contract. BUT If Jose feels like New York is home and he’d take a team-friendly, one-year deal, sure why not.
2. (DH) J.D. Martinez: There is really no plausible explanation David Sterns could give the fanbase by bringing back J.D. Martinez as a player. That being said, if J.D. wants to begin his coaching career he should immediately be on the 2025 staff.
3. (CF) Harrison Bader: Bader didn’t have a fantastic season by any means, mainly due to a summer-long slump, but I would love to have him back as a fifth outfielder in 2025.
4. (1B) Pete Alonso: Pete wants to come back, the fans want Pete to come back, but I’m not so sure the front office wants Pete back. It’s really going to depend on how much David Sterns and Carlos Mendoza think they can get out of Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio at third base next season. Personally, I’d bring Pete back immediately. A core of Alonso, Lindor, Vientos, Nimmo, and Alvarez would be one of the best in baseball for at least another five seasons.
5. (DH) Jesse Winker: I don’t care what he wants. David Sterns needs to bring back Jesse Winker in 2025. Sign him to a 2-year, $16 Million contract and run it back.

Starting Pitching

1. Luis Severino: Sevy had a great 2024 season and I would love to bring him back in 2025. The issue is that his 2024 season was great, and not just good. The 30-year-old is going to seek a long-term deal, and I don’t think that would be an ideal fit for a Mets roster that has a ton of work to do elsewhere.
2. Sean Manea: Much like Severino, Manea had a career-year in 2024. He is two years older than the aformenioned Severino however, and his willingness to openly say he loved his time in New York could help the Mets land the lefty on a two or three year contract. If he’s willing to take a two-year deal, bring him back. Whatever it takes.
3. Jose Quintana: Jose was fantastic in 2024 but he is 35 years old. I think Sterns and Cohen should check in with ‘Q’s’ camp and see if he’d come back on a one-year deal, but if he’s seeking multiple years, it’s best to thank him for his services and walk away.

Bullpen

1. Brooks Raley: Thank you for your limited contributions, bye.
2. Adam Ottavino: Thanks for the memories, even though they weren’t so great. Bye.
3. Ryne Stanek: Blank check. Bring him back.
4. Drew Smith: Other than Pete Alonso, Drew Smith’s departure would hit me the hardest out of anyone in this class. Drew has been a Met since my sophomore year of college. His arrival sparked the transition from the early-to-mid 2010’s Mets I spent so much time with to the version of the Mets we have today. The key piece of the Lucas Duda trade, I don’t see a world where Drew comes back, although I’d love him to.

My Realistic Wish List

1. Pete Alonso (5 yr/$115 Million)
2. Jesse Winker (2 yr/$16 Million)
3. Sean Manea (2 yr/$22 Million)
4. Ryne Stanek (1 yr/$6 Million)
5. Harrison Bader (1 yr/$5 Million)
6. Drew Smith (1 yr/$2.5 Million)

Free Agent Class

The mission this offseason is simple. After resigning Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker, and the others named above, David Sterns needs to acquire Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, Nick Pavetta, and Carlos Estevez.

With $170 Million coming off the books, this is not only possible, but doable, assuming Bieber doesn’t command a high AAV contract after injury concerns and inconsistent production over the last half-decade. These are the acquisitions that help the 2025 New York Mets win the World Series.

The 2025 New York Mets

2024 was a magical ride. I don’t know if any Mets team can surpass the joy this team provided me with throughout the summer and early fall. As much as it pains me to admit, this season has come to an end and all my focus is on 2025. The infinity war led by Grimace, ‘OMG’, Seymour Weiner, The Rizzler, Hawk Tua, and all the wonderful moments wasn’t enough to defeat the ‘Thanos’ that was the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers. I fully believe we are in the end game of this World Series drought now. Here is how the Mets would win the World Series in 2025, according to Brian Hauch.

Lineup

1. (SS) Francisco Lindor
2. (RF) Juan Soto
3. (3B) Mark Vientos
4. (1B) Pete Alonso
5. (CF) Brandon Nimmo
6. (DH) Jesse Winker
7. (LF) Starling Marte
8. (2B) Jeff McNeil
9. (C) Francisco Alvarez

Bench

1. Brett Baty
2. Tyrone Taylor
3. Harrison Bader
4. Luis Torrens
5. Luisangel Acuña

Rotation

1. (RHP) Kodai Senga
2. (RHP) Corbin Burnes
3. (LHP) Sean Manea
4. (RHP) Shane Bieber
5. (LHP) David Peterson

Bullpen

1. (RHP) Edwin Diaz
2. (RHP) Reed Garrett
3. (RHP) Jose Butto
4. (RHP) Dedniel Nunez
5. (RHP) Carlos Estevez
6. (RHP) Ryne Stanek
7. (LHP) Emilio Pagan
8. (LHP) Tanner Scott

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