NEW YORK — The “OMG” Mets of 2024 are already a thing of the past, and as much as the organization wants to recreate those vibes, the reality is that something like this is impossible. Years go by and situations change. No matter how well the Mets do in 2025, they will never be the “OMG” Mets again.
But they can be something even better if things go their way. With Juan José Soto and a completely new pitching staff, the Mets hope to not only fight for a playoff spot this time, but spend the summer as the team others are chasing. Whether they make it or not will depend on many factors, including Soto’s performance and the health and effectiveness of the aforementioned pitchers.
But before all that, there’s the rest of the offseason and spring training to get through. Now that the New Year has arrived, it’s time to start planning what that will all look like.
A free agent target who would still be a perfect addition: Pete Alonso
In fact, it is a perfect combination. It has always been a perfect combination. The Mets need a first baseman. Alonso is the best available on the free market. Plus, the Mets are the only professional organization he’s ever known, playing their games in a city he loves. The only question is whether the two sides can agree on money, as Alonso reportedly turned down a lucrative 2023 extension offer and the Mets have already committed more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to improving their offense. Somewhere here, there must be an agreement that works for both parties. There has to be, right?
A player who is ready to have an outstanding season: Francisco Álvarez
Now that Mark Vientos has broken loose, the Mets expect the same from his younger teammate, Alvarez. Entering his age-23 season, Alvarez has struggled to find consistency at bat, dropping from 25 home runs as a rookie to just 11 last season. But the Venezuelan mask improved his batting average and on-base percentage in his second year in the Majors, as well as his arm behind the plate. He now has 228 games of experience at the highest level of the sport and is at an age where players tend to excel. Often praised for his work ethic, Alvarez still has a chance to be one of the best offensive receivers in the game.
A prospect to watch in 2025: Brandon Sproat
Many questions remain about Sproat’s ability to develop into a truly top-tier starting pitcher, but he also has the best chance of anyone in New York’s system to make a significant midseason impact. One step away from the Major Leagues, Sproat must first master the Triple-A level. But if he starts well, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sproat debut early in the season, like prospect Christian Scott did last year. With a triple-digit fastball, Sproat (the Mets’ No. 1 prospect) has even higher potential than Scott, as evidenced by his ranking as the No. 40 prospect overall, according to MLB Pipeline. At the highest level, he’ll need to be a shooter, not just a shooter, which makes Sproat’s early development crucial to his chances.
A prediction for the new year: The Mets will win the National League East
The stage is set for them to win their first division title in a decade. The Braves are aging and are coming off a season in which they were hampered by injuries. Without Max Fried, Atlanta’s pitching staff doesn’t look as formidable as it once did. While the Phillies remain a formidable prospect, the Mets showed they were capable of stopping their Jersey Turnpike rivals even before signing Soto. Venezuelan Carlos Mendoza’s team may not begin the 2025 season as the favorites of the National League East Division on paper, but they have as many opportunities as any other team to clinch the division. It’s a realistic goal for them heading into the spring.
2025-01-05 07:11:00