LOS ANGELES — The New York Mets’ many soon-to-be free agents mostly shared the same sentiment. Several spoke glowingly of the organization, particularly the clubhouse, and wanted to stick around. Considering the successful and fun run of coming within two wins of making the World Series, the comments seemed predictable.
However, the Mets are nonetheless expected to undergo considerable turnover again. Such was expected when they signed a bevy of players last offseason to one-year deals. The Mets could have as many as 13 free agents, including a few players not on the National League Championship Series roster.
The biggest name of the bunch is Pete Alonso, but others stand out as important, too, especially on the pitching side.
Here are notes on some of the Mets’ most prominent free agents.
Pete Alonso
For most of a year, Alonso shared the same answer whenever he was questioned about free agency. He has long said he loves New York and playing for the Mets. But before his walk year, he hired Scott Boras, known for exploring the open market with his clients. Still, Alonso could return to the Mets. A couple of years ago, Brandon Nimmo, the team’s longest-tenured player, also hired Boras ahead of his walk year only to re-sign with the Mets. Because of his stature with the franchise, his position, his potential aging curve and the possible salary he could command, Alonso’s free agency stands out as the most fascinating decision point for president of baseball operations David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen.
Sean Manaea
When the Mets signed Manaea to a two-year guarantee containing a player option for 2025, they thought he was a decent bet to stabilize their rotation after flashing promising signs down the stretch for the San Francisco Giants in 2023. Instead, he turned out to be the Mets’ ace. Manaea added velocity, made some repertoire tweaks and completely changed his arm angle midseason to have a career year.
It’s a no-brainer that Manaea will opt out of his deal ($13.5 million for 2025) and become a free agent. It wouldn’t be surprising if his agent, Boras, marketed him as a No. 2-type starter.
It probably makes sense for the Mets to extend Manaea a qualifying offer (expected to be $21.05 million). He lived in Manhattan, rode the 7-train to Citi Field and proved he can thrive in the city. Manaea should land a multiyear deal.
“I really have no control over that right now, or I’m not even thinking about it,” Manaea said. “I’ve loved my time here, I love New York.”
Luis Severino
Under Stearns, the Mets show more interest in reclamation projects than previous regimes. That was an aisle Stearns shopped in as a necessity when he led the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first season with New York, he hit on Manaea and Severino, who inked a one-year deal last year after battling several injuries the previous few seasons. With the success of Severino and Manaea, the Mets showed they can help veteran pitchers rediscover their form — or just get better. In Severino’s case, familiarity helped since he knew manager Carlos Mendoza, but pitching coach Jeremy Hefner played a strong role in shaping new wrinkles like a two-seam fastball.
“I give a lot of credit to the Mets,” Severino said. “Everyone helped me stay healthy this year.”
By delivering a strong season (3.91 ERA) and reaching his highest innings total (182) since 2018, Severino positioned himself for a solid multiyear deal, something that teams weren’t offering last winter. He will turn 31 in February.
“For me, I’ve got to think first of my family. What is best for my family?” Severino said. “In the end, I want to compete. I want to be on a team that wants to win a World Series. I have to take that in mind.”
Jesse Winker
Winker often referred to playing for the Mets as “a dream.” When the Mets acquired him at the deadline, Winker reunited with Francisco Lindor, whom he played with before becoming a pro. He very much wants to return. He still fits as a left-handed batting corner outfielder who mostly spends time at DH. Still, other teams with a dire need could offer more money or years based on Winker’s bounce-back season. He cut weight, started stealing more bases and continued to be one of the game’s most disciplined batters.
“That would be incredible,” Winker said of re-signing with the Mets. “That would be amazing. I’ve really enjoyed being here, playing alongside these guys and some guys I’ve known since I was a kid. I said it was a dream come true and it really was. Hopefully I can come back because it was really special to be a part of this team and this organization.”
J.D. Martinez
When asked what’s in store for his future, Martinez, 37, offered an answer in line with his humor and personality.
“Pickleball? I don’t know,” he said. “I’m going to go home and enjoy my time, see my daughter. Then I’ll start training, cranking it up and see what happens. If something happens it happens, if something doesn’t, it doesn’t. We’ll go from there. I’m not going to come back because I’m begging to come back. I’m going to come back because it makes sense. In the end, time is the most valuable thing. It’s got to be worth the time.”
To be clear, Martinez still wants to play — “1,000 percent,” he said — but it’s a matter of how teams view him. He’s a designated hitter who didn’t make the Mets’ lineup on a consistent basis down the stretch. In 495 plate appearances, he hit 16 home runs with a .725 OPS, which represent down figures for him, though he still hit balls hard and often made quality contact. The Mets were able to land Martinez because he lingered in free agency deep into spring training despite hitting 33 home runs with a .893 OPS a year ago.
“I felt great this year,” Martinez said. “I had this streak of bad luck, but I feel like my expected numbers were good. My body felt great. Everything under the hood actually looks better than it did last year for me. And I love it. I love hitting baseballs. It’s a passion of mine. I do want to play.”
José Iglesias
Stearns often hit on the waiver wire in Milwaukee but probably never landed a more impactful minor-league signing than Iglesias, who hit .337 and provided the hit song of the team, improving the club’s vibes. Iglesias, who would be entering his age-35 season, wants to keep playing and said he enjoyed his season in New York. He hadn’t played in the majors since 2022, so it will be interesting to see how clubs view him and his contact-oriented skill set this time around, especially after improving his range and hard-hit rate.
Harrison Bader
After dealing with injury-plagued seasons, Bader stayed healthy all season and provided elite defense in center field after signing a one-year deal with the Mets.
“To be available for 162, I hadn’t done that in a long time, and it means the world and I’m definitely back into the full swing and a full season of the major leagues,” Bader said. “It feels fantastic. I’m excited for this team’s future and for my future.”
There’s no guarantee the connection between Bader and the team will continue. The Mets have Tyrone Taylor, who supplanted Bader down the stretch once Bader’s bat went ice cold. Beyond Taylor, who has always profiled as more of a fourth outfielder, the Mets could move Brandon Nimmo back to center field while waiting for one of their prospects like Drew Gilbert. Or they could explore another external route.
“If there’s anything I learned the last month and a half of my season, I’ve got work to do,” Bader said. “I’m excited to attack it. It’s been a blast.”
Ryne Stanek
The Mets had an interest in Stanek last offseason, so it was no surprise when they acquired him from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline. With New York, he wound up a trusted high-leverage reliever late in the postseason. He should be in line for another one-year deal somewhere.
“I really enjoyed my time here,” Stanek said. “The organization treated my family great. I enjoyed my time in New York a lot. I’d be for it if they’d have me, but it’s obviously not just up to me. So we’ll see.”
Phil Maton
Count Maton as yet another player who said he’d like to be back in Flushing. Maton, who has played for some of the most analytically-driven clubs such as the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, was extremely complimentary of the Mets’ ways of helping pitchers through information and communication. His club option for 2025 is likely too pricey to pick up ($7.75 million). After signing late in the offseason last winter, Maton, 31, hopes to find a potential deal sooner this time around. He could again profile as one of the more intriguing right-handed relief options.
Jose Quintana
Quintana, who turns 36 in January, wants to keep pitching.
He proved he can keep doing so at a competitive level.
Buoyed by a strong second half, Quintana logged 170 1/3 innings with a 3.75 ERA. Some advanced numbers (4.56 FIP, 105 ERA+) and expected stats are not always kind to Quintana, who works the edges of the strike zone and tries to generate soft contact. Quintana provides rotations with some length and experience as a back-end starter. The Mets could do worse than bringing back the lefty on something like a one-year deal. He called his two seasons with New York “amazing.”
“For sure, I’d want to come back here,” Quintana said. “The time I spent here was amazing, and let’s see. I feel great and I want to keep doing my thing.”
Brooks Raley, Drew Smith
Both relievers are set to be free agents but are expected to miss most if not all of 2025. Smith underwent right elbow UCL reconstruction with internal brace augmentation in July. Raley had Tommy John surgery and may not be ready to return until after he turns 37 in June. Both pitchers continued to spend time in the Mets’ clubhouse during the playoffs.
Adam Ottavino
The Mets re-signed Ottavino late in the offseason and he missed the cut for the NLCS roster. Considering that context, it would be somewhat surprising if the Mets brought back the New York native. He posted a sub-100 ERA+ (91) for the first time in his career for a full season. Still, Ottavino, 38, offers loads of experience and was a leader in the Mets’ bullpen. He seems primed to be a future manager, coach or executive one day. He plans to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic and wants to pitch a 20th professional season.
(Top photo of Jesse Winker: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
