The New York Mets are looking to kick things into overdrive after finishing 2024 two wins away from the World Series. While the ideal plan includes outfielder Juan Soto getting penciled into manager Carlos Mendoza’s lineup, there’s plenty of competition for his services.
If the Mets can’t reel in Soto on what could be a record-breaking deal, how might president of baseball operations David Stearns proceed to build his roster?
New York has multiple holes to fill this winter. One area is first base since homegrown slugger Pete Alonso has reached free agency. Another area is the starting rotation since Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana are also on the open market. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller thinks the New York Yankees will re-sign Soto to a 13-year, $569 million deal in his latest batch of predictions.
While that would be a bummer for the Mets, the haul he predicted for them would still be quite significant as they prepare to make another run at the postseason next year.
Of the 12 players who rejected the one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer, Miller is predicting the Mets will sign three of them to multi-year deals. It includes signing Alonso to an eight-year, $226 million deal and Severino to a three-year, $48 million pact. Those are both familiar faces, but the new face would be Corbin Burnes. Miller predicts he’ll land in Queens on a five-year, $170 million deal.
The Severino prediction feels about right. Spotrac has pegged his market value at four years and $55.9 million. However, the deals for Alonso and Burnes feel backward. Alonso’s market value is six years and $174 million. Burnes’ market value is six years at $180 million, but other contract projections have him surpassing the $200 million mark.
Explore More:
Mets Land 209-Strikeout All-Star Ace In Blockbuster Five-Player Trade Proposal
The New York Mets finished two wins away from the World Series in 2024. A lot of that unexpected success can be attributed to how well the starting rotation performed in the second half. With Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana and Luis Severino all hitting free agency, president of baseball operations David Stearns has work to do. Could he swing a deal with the Chicago White Sox for All-Star ace Garrett Crochet?
FanGraphs’ Roster Resource has the Mets’ current rotation including Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill and José Buttó. Whether it’s injury, lack of innings, or an inconsistent track record, each of these hurlers has questions attached to them heading into 2025. That’s likely part of the reason why Stearns is intent on adding more than one starting pitcher this winter.
New York has been linked to several top free-agent hurlers to begin the offseason. However, there are also intriguing names available via the trade market. Crochet is at the top of this list after posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 209 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched.
What could a potential trade for the southpaw look like? FanSided’s Josue De Jesus created the following five-player swap:
– Mets receive: left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet
– White Sox receive: infielder/outfielder Jett Williams, outfielder Ryan Clifford, catcher Kevin Parada and right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell
The Mets are sending quite a bit of talent to the Windy City in this scenario. MLB.com ranks all four of these players within the organization’s top 25 prospects. Williams finished 2024 as New York’s second-best prospect while Clifford was fourth, Tidwell was eighth and Parada was 25th. The White Sox have some leverage in potential negotiations, though.
Crochet’s market value for a long-term deal is six years and $130 million, per Spotrac. However, he hasn’t signed an extension yet and there’s no rush for the organization to trade him because of his current situation. Crochet is estimated to earn just $2.9 million in 2025 and is under team control through 2026.
Leave a Reply