3 signs the Mets are punting in 2024, 2 signs they aren't

The NY Mets are not punting on 2024 because they seem to be unwilling to trade their players on expiring deals

The Mets have made is known that they're willing to listen on Pete Alonso trades, but are not the ones making the calls and are fully expect their slugger to be their first baseman on Opening Day.

If the Mets were truly not planning on competing in 2024, they could easily trade Alonso for a monster haul right now. Sure, they could get a ton at the deadline too, but they'd get more for a player with a full year of control instead of just a couple of months, and are also risking an injury. Alonso has been durable, but did miss some time last season after getting hit by a pitch. Freak injuries happen all the time.

You can make the argument that the Mets holding onto Alonso is a play for the future as if they traded him now, they'd probably have no shot at re-signing him. While that's true, he's not the only expiring contract they have. Jose Quintana is an established mid-rotation arm that would make so many teams better. Brooks Raley is a late-game left-handed reliever who can help out any bullpen.

The Mets holding onto these guys suggests they're not punting. They might not be aggressively trying to win, but punting is different.