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3 biggest offseason fears for Mets fans
There's no doubt that this is a big offseason for the New York Mets. Coming off of a disappointing season, they made changes at the GM and managerial positions and there are sure to be roster changes.
The Mets' outlook for the 2024 season is yet to be clear: they are in a division with two of the top teams in the MLB in the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies and there is a clear need for roster improvement. This offseason has already set the course for years to come and it will continue to.
With this comes optimism, but also fear. What if the offseason goes wrong? There are ways it can for the Mets and their fans. Here are the 3 biggest fears for the Mets during the 2024 offseason.
The New York Mets miss out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto
One of the clear needs for the Mets is starting pitching, and they are heavily linked to a top pitcher in the market in Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto was posted on Monday, meaning that he will start talking to MLB teams soon if he has not already. The 25-year-old is one of the top free agents on the market: he has a 70-29 record with a 1.82 ERA for the Orix Buffaloes, and he is a 3-time winner NPBL's Eiji Sawamura Award, which is the equivalent of the MLB Cy Young Award. Moreover, Yamamoto won the league's triple crown in 2023, as he led the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA.
All things indicate that the Mets will try hard to bring in the star pitcher, and one thing helping this is Kodai Senga. Senga, who had a spectacular rookie season, made it clear to New York he wants Yamamoto as a teammate. All these things are working in the Mets' favor.
This makes Yamamoto not coming to the Mets a big fear. While there are a lot of star pitchers out there in free agency, including Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, Yamamoto has been named at the top, is only 25 and would have the potential to be an ace for the Mets.
Missing out on Yamamoto means the Mets would have to turn to pitchers who might not have the same value for them down the line and leave a major hole open on a position that cost them in 2023. The Mets traded Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in 2023, are clearly looking for an ace, and a 1-2 of Yamamoto and Senga would be the ideal building block.
If this doesn't happen when the Mets look like a free agent favorite, it won't be good.
Shohei Ohtani signs with a Mets' rival
Free agency is headlined by one name, Shohei Ohtani: the do-it-all megastar is hitting free agency looking for a massive contract, and of course, a lot of teams are interested. The Mets seem to be one of them and will surely try and give Ohtani a lot of money to try to come to New York.
While there are limits to what will come out of Ohtani's camp, expect teams like the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Rangers and more to be interested. There are so many teams in the Ohtani sweepstakes, so is it really that bad if the Mets miss out.
Well, for the talent and the possibility to alter a franchise, it stings. Players like Ohtani almost never come around. But, what would be worse if he goes to a rival, such as the Atlanta Braves.
Reports say Ohtani is "intrigued" by the Braves, and while there might not be much legitimacy so far, if Ohtani does sign with the Braves it would be trouble for the Mets for years to come. If he signs with a team not in the NL East, like the betting favorite Dodgers, at least the Mets don't have to see him as many times a year.
But, if Ohtani does end up in Atlanta, they will be the division, league and World Series favorite for years to come. Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and more makes for a scary lineup.
Ohtani can end up in a lot of places, including New York. The worst-case scenario is Atlanta
The Mets trade Pete Alonso
The number-one fear for the Mets this offseason has to do with their homegrown superstar, Pete Alonso. Alonso is in a contract-year and is looking for a huge deal, and the question remains whether the Mets will give it to him. While David Stearns says Alonso will be on the Opening Day lineup, the door is open for Alonso to be in a different uniform next April.
One team that has been strongly connected to Alonso is the Chicago Cubs, who tried to trade for him during the MLB trade deadline, and since the season ended, they brought in a new manager in Craig Counsell and are connected to Alonso yet again. Tons of teams will be interested in the first baseman if the Mets cannot seal the deal.
If the Mets do end up trading Alonso, this is the worst fear this offseason for three reasons.
First, it leaves a major hole for the Mets at both first-base and offensively. Alonso, since coming up to the league in 2018, has been the Mets' home run leader every year. In 2023, he led New York in RBI with 118 (Francisco Lindor was second with 98) and is one of the best offensive players for the Mets every year. If he gets traded, the Mets will need to find another 100-RBI player to fill that hole - Francisco Lindor can't be the only superstar for the team to compete.
Second, it sets a major precedent for the Mets players. Alonso is one of the franchise players, a locker room guy and a center of the team. If the Mets trade him, it sends a message that the team might not be ready to compete soon.
Third, it makes the Mets a less attractive location for the top free agents, trade pieces, and more. One of the main reasons the Mets have been competitive in recent years, including their 101 win season in 2022, and can be competitive for years to come is because of Alonso. Trading him immediately means the Mets are not as talented. Why would any player want to come to a team that traded away one of its stars?
So, what does this mean? Alonso better be in a Mets uniform for Opening Day and years to come. If not, it won't be good.
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