NY Mets Free Agent Predictions: The only 3 players returning next season

The New York Mets have a good number of players set to hit free agency this offseason. As the case always is with any team, some return and some go.

The free agent class of 2021-2022 is a hefty one with some longtime Mets set to hit the open market. Speculated upon last winter already, there are plenty of guys fans would like to see stay a few more years.

A lot can happen between now and the start of the free agency period. Management’s opinion on a particular player could change drastically. The players could also have a different viewpoint of where they want to land.

From all of the guys with the potential to hit the open market, these are the three I’m predicting come back to the Mets in 2022.

Aaron Loup says he wants to stay with the Mets and I believe him

What else would Aaron Loup say other than he wants to return to the Mets? As stated by the talented lefty reliever already, he gave us a piece of good news about his future in baseball. True or not, the ball is in the front office’s court to get a deal done once the hot stove begins to heat up.

Loup has been terrific for the Mets this year. Signed to just a one-year contract this past offseason, you could say he was the best free agent relief pitcher the club has ever brought in—aside from Billy Wagner.

I don’t think anyone should expect Loup to replicate his 2021 season ever again. This will go down as one of the best performances any pitcher has ever given the Mets.

Even if things can only go downhill for Loup, he’s worth at least another year—maybe two. I predict he gets a pair of years for his strong showing this year.

Although not fully a free agent, Kevin Pillar uses his player option to return

Kevin Pillar isn’t a “full” free agent because he has a player option, along with a team option, that can be exercised. If the Mets decide to bring him back, they pay him $6.4 million. I don’t think he’s worth that much to ride the bench nor do I believe the team is happy enough with his performance.

However, the player option, at a lesser $2.9 million, looks far more favorable. Pillar also has a buyout worth $1.4 million but I suspect Pillar chooses to stay in New York for another season. It’s hard to imagine him making more than $2.9 million on the open market following such an up-and-down year.

For a while, it seemed like Pillar was going to become a Mets legend. His tough play and return after getting hit in the face with a pitch made him a franchise folk hero. His involvement in the thumbs-downing of the fans may have changed the opinion of some. Add in a less than stellar batting average on the year and we have a guy who has done pretty much what was expected: fill in as a starter sometimes and occasionally produce good numbers but not earn a starting role by any stretch of the imagination.

Despite the rollercoaster year Pillar had with the Mets, I think he’ll take advantage of the money he has coming his way. He’s not getting any younger and the Mets should at least provide him with an opportunity to play some competitive baseball.

Noah Syndergaard will remain with the Mets, maybe not on the qualifying offer

One of the biggest fish on the list of potential Mets free agents is Noah Syndergaard. We all want to know what the future holds for him. Syndergaard has never thrown a big league pitch for any other major league club. Is 2022 the year this all changes?

I think Syndergaard does end up back with the Mets in 2022. It might not even be via the qualifying offer. If he is extended one, I think he does accept. If not, I think he gets a lesser contract with the opportunity to prove he is back and healthy.

Syndergaard enjoys the spotlight. No city provides a bigger one than New York. Syndergaard has been successful here and a season to prove it all without having to change organizations is the best situation he could get in.

Familiarity can build contempt but it is also helpful for a guy trying to return from an injury. I suspect someone takes a chance on Syndergaard this winter and for some big bucks. The Mets, hoping they don’t let him slip away and watch from afar as he excels with another organization, should bite and give Thor at least another year in Queens. There’s no way they let themselves get Nolan Ryan’ed again, right?