Offseason expectations for the New York Mets are at their highest point in years following their run to the postseason in 2024. The organization will have to be smart, cautious, and resourceful to make the best decisions at times. The team has financial flexibility on its roster with the departure of contractual commitments with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, among other names.
The team has multiple areas of work where the starting rotation seems to be the most needed. The first base and the search for Juan Soto are relevant points for the team. They also need to improve a bullpen that was marked by a lack of control and command last season. At the same time, they must leave room to play for their young and promising players.
Mets starting rotation
- Kodai Senga
- Sean Manaea
- Luis Severino
- Walker Buehler
- David Peterson
The strategy used last offseason turned out to be good for the Mets organization, managing to get pitchers with potential at low cost and on short-term contracts. The cases of Sean Manaea and Luis Severino have the disadvantage in their profile of having received a qualified offer, which reduces their market after the teams' opposition to giving up a draft pick compensation, especially if it is not for an elite player in his category. , that would make negotiations with these pitchers even easier for the Mets who would end up on the team for the 2025 season and beyond in the short term.
Walker Buehler's case is very similar to Luis Severino's last offseason. A pitcher coming off a down year with good velocity on his fastball but with location problems who would have to make adjustments to improve but who could sign for a one-year contract and less than $15 million to try to restore his value.
Finally, David Peterson would complete that rotation after a formidable job in the final stretch of the regular season and postseason. With this, the Mets would achieve a rotation with potential without having to incur excessive expenses in an era in MLB where betting on pitchers on long-term contracts is risky.