New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns spoke to the media earlier today at the 2024 MLB General Manager Meetings in San Antonio, Texas. These few days allow decision-makers from all 30 MLB teams to be in the same room and discuss the health of Major League Baseball. Clubs still find time to talk with agents about potential free agents and discuss with other clubs potential trade opportunities during the 2024 MLB Offseason.
Stearns made some news in Texas as he broke down what the New York Mets hope to accomplish this offseason. He said the team will prioritize short-term contracts to prospective free agents. He singled out players who had an injury-plagued season, different use from a former team, and poor performances in 2024. Stearns tried to make the point that it can also be in the best interest of free agents to take a short-term deal as they look to have a strong year and rebuild their value on the open market.
The New York Mets used short-term deals almost exclusively last offseason including agreeing one-year deals with Starting Pitchers Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Outfielder Harrison Bader, Relief Pitcher Adam Ottavino, and many more. How will the New York Mets decide to attack the 2024 offseason?
New York Mets Look To Build On Successful Season
David Stearns anticipates that the Mets will once again target short-term deals in free agency to supplement the team.
Catch Stearns' full interview with @martinonyc tonight on Baseball Night in New York!
📺: SNY
⏰: 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/6o8tGZHRhM— SNY (@SNYtv) November 5, 2024
The New York Mets had a successful 2024 season that saw them bested in the NLCS by the Los Angeles Dodgers. New York was one of the hottest teams in the leagues in the final four months of the regular season. New York has many key free agents to make decisions on for 2025 and beyond. New York had a busy day yesterday as they extended qualifying offers to Pete Alonso, Manaea, and Severino and allowed other players to become free agents. The first order of business for Stearns and Owner Steve Cohen this offseason is to decide how involved they want to get in the Alonso and Juan Soto sweepstakes.
If the New York Mets are to sign one, or both of these free agents, it would not be a short-term deal. Instead, these players would presumably ask for lucrative long-term extensions regardless of which MLB team will retain their services for 2025 and beyond. This thought is backed up by The Athletic. According to the outlet, Alonso is projected to sign a seven-year $189 million contract this offseason while Soto is projected to command a 12-year $540 million contract.
Final Thoughts
The comments made by Stearns provide a window into how the New York Mets will approach the offseason. The comments made by Stearns illustrate his belief that New York is not far away from bringing a championship back to Flushing Meadows. A few short-term deals may be able to put the team over the top in 2025. If the Mets are to compete for some of the marquee free agents, including Soto and Alonso, it would mean the team would have to change their offseason strategy that prioritizes short-term deals. The eyes of the baseball world will be trained on the offseason of the New York Mets.
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