What would a successful season look like for the NY Mets in 2025?

If you stood in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda with a microphone and asked Mets fans to define a successful 2025 season, you’d get more answers than Stearns had players in spring training. Success has always been a moving target for this franchise over its 63 years—sometimes it’s a parade, sometimes it’s just making it to September without heartbreak. But as we sit (insert ex-Met jersey number here) days away from Opening Day, what does success look like this year? Is it a playoff push? A deep October run? Or is it a mix of player development, postseason dreams, and giving fans a team they can truly believe in? Without declaring this year as a World Series or bust, two boxes need to be checked off for 2025 to be considered a success.

With Juan Soto in the mix, Mets fans expect more than just a replay of last year.

Sure, 2024 was memorable, with a postseason appearance that ended at the hands of the World Series champion LA Dodgers in the NLCS. But let’s be honest, it took until the final day of the regular season to even clinch that last wild card spot. Now, with Soto patrolling right field, the expectations have shifted. If you’re a 34-year-old Mets fan, you’ve witnessed more 40-40 seasons (five) than division titles (just two—2006 and 2015). That has to change in 2025. The addition of number 22 isn’t just a star power boost; it’s a statement that the Mets are gunning for more than a wild card.

Yes, the Phillies have an elite pitching staff, and the Braves are entering the season with a healthier roster. But it’s time for the Mets to take the next step, building on last year’s momentum and avoiding another wild card scramble. Step one to having a successful 2025 season, win the National League East and skip the wild card round.

Winning the division and making a deep run starts with the stars, but the young core must step up. Whatever Brett Baty was eating in Port St. Lucie, he needs to keep it coming in Queens. Luisangel Acuña has the talent—now he must turn it into production when his number is called. Brandon Sproat could inject much-needed youth into a veteran-heavy rotation. And Mark Vientos, after a strong 2024, needs to lock down his spot behind Soto, Alonso, and Nimmo. If the Mets are going to make noise this season, it won’t just be the big names—it’ll be because the next wave of talent delivered. Step two to having a successful 2025 season, the young core develops allowing the veterans, led by Soto, to carry this team.

The blueprint for a successful Mets season isn’t complicated—win the division, develop the young talent, and let the stars lead the way. If Lindor, Soto, and company can do their thing while Baty, Acuña, Sproat, and Vientos take that next step, the Mets won’t just aim for October; they’ll be built to thrive in it. It won’t always be smooth sailing - this is the Mets after all - but if they check those two boxes, 2025 will be a season worth believing in.