5 offseason predictions for the Mets

The MLB offseason has been on delay because of something called the playoffs. Unfortunately, the New York Mets don't know much about this topic.

The offseason is what we've been waiting for since early August. Once the Mets sold at the trade deadline, we knew those final two months would be more exhibition than anything else. A few promising players came out of those late battles. Mostly, we just wanted to fast forward. Meaningful baseball was missed.

Before the offseason gets underway, fans of all shapes and sizes get their shot at making predictions. How many of these predictions end up coming true? Here’s my stab at five things I expect to come true.

1) The Mets will sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the second biggest contract in franchise history

Francisco Lindor is the only player in Mets history to get a deal over $300 million. He's actually the only one to get over $200 as well. The Mets haven't completely tipped the scales with the payroll. Under Steve Cohen, they've opted for high AAV and short contracts.

This will change with the signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Mets are going to need to go over the $200 million mark to land him. They will and the fans will celebrate having him at the top of the rotation alongside Kodai Senga.

Yamamoto has become the most prized starting pitcher free agent this offseason due to a mix of talent and age. He doesn’t turn 26 until next August. An opportunity like this doesn’t come around too often.

Fans have turned their heads away from the idea of signing Shohei Ohtani due to the unreasonable contract demands and lack of presence on the mound he’ll have in 2024. We’ll still accept it, but he’s not the primary target. It’s Yamamoto. The Mets will deliver on this one and with the second-highest contract in franchise history.