The Mets entered this offseason knowing that change was inevitable. Failing to reach the playoffs with a core of some of the best players in MLB calls for extreme change. Talents such as Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, and Brandon Nimmo failed to accomplish the base goal of reaching the postseason.
After a season that fell short of expectations, the front office shifted its focus away from that same core that Mets fans have adored for years. Rather than making large splashes, the team’s offseason has been defined by calculated roster flexibility and exploring trade options. The Mets suffered immensely last season from defense and lost upwards of ten games from a negative run prevention value. The Mets first move was to trade fan-favorite Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien. At first glance, the trade would raise many red flags as Nimmo was coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Nimmo struggled to hit with runners on base and was abysmal for stretches throughout the season that contributed to the Mets midsummer crash. In addition, Nimmo was horrendous at defense and cost the Mets many runs. Semien is an aging second-baseman coming off one of the worst hitting seasons of his career. The plus? His defense. Semien won the Gold Glove at his position last year, bringing in a huge defensive replacement and making the Mets middle-infield the best defensive duo between Lindor and Semien in all of MLB.
The Mets have also been very protective of young talent, refusing to trade big prospects such as Jett Williams, Jonah Tong, and Ryan Clifford in favor of letting the home-grown talent learn and develop. The Mets lost multiple pieces that were key in slowing the failures of last year’s team. Edwin Diaz left the organization for unconfirmed reasons after receiving a seemingly better offer than made by the Mets. Nonetheless he left to be the closer for the LA Dodgers, a crucial blow. Shortly after Diaz left, a franchise player and one who Mets fans thought would retire as a Met left for the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets, inexplicably, did not make an offer to bring Pete Alonso back. Bullpen arms such as Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley signed with other teams, leaving a large gap in short-term relief arms.
Replacing some of the gaps in the bullpen, the Mets signed closer Devin Williams to a three-year deal, upsetting many Mets fans since he is coming off the worst season of his career. To fit another hole at first base upon Pete Alonso leaving, the Mets signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year deal. Polanco is coming off the best season of his career and an incredible playoff run with the Seattle Mariners.
There still remains a lot of time left this offseason for the Mets to field a playoff team, however, Mets fans are increasingly growing in discontent as little is being done and huge pieces are leaving. Only president of baseball operations David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen know what the future holds in store for this franchise.
