When the 4 core former NY Mets players return to Citi Field and how fans will react

The New York Mets subtracted four core members of the organization this offseason. Two were traded. Another pair were left to wander out in MLB free agency.

Upon their return, there are going to be a mix of reactions. When does each of them come back to Queens and what are the fans going to do?

When they're coming back and how the fans are going to react

Jeff McNeil - April 10

Jeff McNeil won’t have to wait long before coming to Citi Field again. He visits with the Athletics starting on April 10. As much as fans grew tired of him, he’s going to get a hero’s welcome. It doesn’t hurt that he’ll come back early enough in the season where fans won’t be too riled up.

Reaction: Stronger than moderate applause, minimal boos

Edwin Diaz - July 24

We won’t see one of these players come back again until the second-half when Edwin Diaz and the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Mets in Queens. The circumstances surrounding his departure are complicated with blame falling on both sides. Did the Mets negotiate poorly with him? Did Diaz even want to stay? Whatever the perception you come away with is, this feels like a heavy boo spot. Some fans will still cheer him with the heaviest coming if he blows a save. It’s circumstantial with him, too. If Diaz is on the mound, it probably means the Mets are about to lose.

Reaction: Heavy boos, moderate applause drowned out by the booing

Pete Alonso - September 14

In the final weeks of September, how are Mets fans going to feel? When Pete Alonso returns in a Baltimore Orioles uniform, regardless of where the Mets are in the standings, he’s going to get a heavy standing ovation and a tip of the cap. Fans have no bitterness toward Alonso who wasn’t even handed an offer from the Mets.

Reaction: Heavy cheers with a standing ovation

Brandon Nimmo - Sometime in 2027

The Texas Rangers won’t play at Citi Field in 2026. We’re going to have to wait until sometime in 2027. Time heals all wounds. The Brandon Nimmo trade will be a full season in the past. This only furthers the idea that he’ll get a similar reaction as Alonso, maybe more so because of the distance between the last time he played in the Mets’ home ballpark.