The New York Mets declined their team option on right-handed reliever Phil Maton, league sources told The Athletic, allowing an experienced bullpen arm to hit free agency.
Although Maton’s option, valued at $7.75 million, wasn’t a huge figure, it likely projects as a bit of an overpay and the Mets are believed to prefer flexibility at the outset of the offseason. Maton would be owed a $250,000 buyout.
As a free agent, Maton, who turns 32 in March, should attract plenty of interest from teams looking for durability in the bullpen. He has made at least 65 appearances in each of the last four seasons. Between his time with the Tampa Bay Rays and Mets in 2024, Maton logged 71 games and 64 innings with a 1.10 WHP and 3.66 ERA. After making mechanical adjustments, he had a 2.36 ERA in 28 appearances during the second half.
The Mets acquired Maton for cash from the Rays in June. Down the stretch, he emerged as one of the club’s most trusted high-leverage choices.
New York’s bullpen will again experience turnover. Right-handed relievers Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith and Ryne Stanek are also free agents. In addition to closer Edwin Díaz, the Mets can bring back Reed Garrett and Dedniel Núñez, two right-handers who developed as helpful options.
Coming off an appearance in the National League Championship Series, the Mets could use more trustworthy relievers in the backend. In deciding to turn down Maton’s option, the Mets may be indicating that they’re open to waiting out the market for someone of his value (think: solid rather than game-changing), similar to how they operated last year. Either way, an argument can be made that they should also spend more on a setup option in addition to replacing Maton’s value.
While the call on Maton warranted more of a conversation, the other contract option decision involving the Mets ahead of Monday’s deadline was far more obvious.
As expected since the summer, left-handed starter Sean Manaea opted out of his deal with the Mets to become a free agent. Manaea’s player option was worth $13.5 million. After emerging as the Mets’ top starter with a 3.47 ERA in 181 2/3 innings (32 starts), Manaea, 32, should have little trouble finding a lucrative multi-year deal.
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