6 unsigned NY Mets free agents who could still return for the 2025 season

5) Ryne Stanek

We saw two sides of Ryne Stanek last year. One was the regular season dud. The other was the postseason stud. He was always meant to be the latter for the Mets. Plenty of experience pitching in the playoffs is why the Mets made him one of their more notable trade deadline additions. It paid off when the games went national.

Stanek has been a guy the Mets liked even before he got to New York. Rumors of them having interest last offseason prior to a deal with the Seattle Mariners can’t be dismissed. Last year’s bullpen expenditures were much tighter than they should be this offseason as they look to plug some holes.

The market for high-leverage relievers hasn’t moved quickly. Lots are available, including several with closer experience or ones who’d at least get a gig finishing off games. Stanek is on a different rung than they are. A better fit for the Mets than to sign someone like Tanner Scott for ridiculous closer money (we’d love it, but let’s be realistic), it does seem plausible that at least one member of last year’s bullpen comes back.

A strong finish from Stanek in the postseason is what may push him ahead on the list of priorities over the last guy on this list.