8 easiest Mets players on the 40-man roster to non-tender or release this offseason

7) Matt Gage

Surely you remember Matt Gage. A player for cash trade from none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gage was one of Stearns’ attempts to find realistic backup options in the era of Jake Diekman. He never did make it into a game for the Mets. Yet again, he’s a player without options already aware of his fate.

Gage posted a 3.92 ERA for Syracuse in 20.2 innings. He stuck out 10.5 batters per inning in his attempt to get back to the majors where he has logged only 19.2 total innings. It wouldn’t be so bad to invite him back on a fresh minor league deal for some depth. On his current deal, it’s a requirement to move on.

8) Alex Young

This was one of the more underrated midseason acquisitions by the Mets. A waiver claim late in the year, they brought a second left-handed throwing man with the surname Young into the fold. This Young, Alex Young, had an effective 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings for the Mets. Why does it feel like he pitched a lot more?

This Young did walk a few too many batters without the high strikeout rate of his unrelated teammate, Danny Young. He wouldn’t be a terrible player to have back again next year. However, zero minor league options for 2025 should have the Mets moving on from him. It doesn’t make sense to plan around a roster with him on it. He could be worth re-signing on a new minor league pact with a minor league invite to spring training depending on how the offseason goes.