5 upcoming NY Mets free agents in for a rude awakening this offseason

5) Adam Ottavino

It was probably the Mets or nobody else for Adam Ottavino this year. After opting out of his contract, he came back around to re-sign for the same amount but without any deferred money. He turns 39 this November and after such a rough season where he saw himself demoted down the depth chart, retirement could be nearing.

The Mets haven’t done Ottavino any favors in bolstering his free agent stock. Carlos Mendoza lost trust in him long ago. Regularly used in blowouts or late in games where the Mets aren’t going to win, it’s hard to see why the same teams who passed on him last offseason would suddenly have interest this time around. His experience is less valuable than a younger arm with minor league options. His age, despite remaining healthy for most of his career, is a deterrent, too.

Ottavino may have no choice but to retire or sign a minor league deal somewhere. Based on his appearances on SNY last year and the money he has already made on top of the accomplishments in his career, retiring from baseball feels like a reasonable conclusion at the end of 2024. If he can win a World Series with the Mets, that decision should come much more easily.