Juan Soto discusses Mets’ failure despite lofty expectations for 2025
After the Mets were eliminated from playoff contention on the season’s final day, Juan Soto discussed what went wrong on Sept. 28, 2025, in Miami.
The Mets will be looking for answers with their roster heading into the 2026 season.
How could a team with a $340 million payroll — second-highest in Major League Baseball — underperform so dramatically that they finished with a 83-79 record and outside of the playoffs?
The Mets front office began to turn over the pieces to search for answers last week as they said farewell to six coaches, with four being dismissed, one resigning and another retiring.
Soon enough, it will be time to assess the roster and decide who should remain and who should also depart.
With the offseason beginning prematurely for the Mets, here is where their roster stands before free agency begins in a few weeks. Which players will be hitting the open market, who has an option and who is under team control?
Infield/catchers: Pete Alonso heading to free agency
Free agents: None
Options: Pete Alonso (player)
Under control: Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, Jared Young, Nick Madrigal
Outlook: The Mets’ offseason had barely began before Alonso announced that he would be opting out of the second year of his contract, worth $24 million, heading into 2026.
Alonso earned an opportunity to net more money, years and stability by posting a .871 OPS with 38 home runs, 126 RBI and 41 doubles last season. The only players on the Mets’ roster who played any time at first base this past season were Vientos, Young and Torrens.
The Mets must decide what to do with the rest of their infield besides Lindor. Baty had a strong season with a .748 OPS, 18 home runs and 50 RBI with a strong handle defensively at third and second base. McNeil, who sputtered down the stretch, has one more season on his $50 million deal. Mark Viento scuffled to a .233/.289/.413 slash line.
The club must decide who they believe can handle everyday reps at both positions, with Mauricio and Acuña seeing irregular time in 2025.
Outfield: Center field still in question?
Free agents: Starling Marte, Jesse Winker, Cedric Mullins
Options: None.
Under control: Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor
Outlook: The Mets will have a glaring need at designated hitter, with Marte and Winker set to enter free agency. The lefty-hitting Winker was never able to get right after suffering a back injury in early July.
While Soto and Nimmo will have regular roles in the upcoming season, the future of the center field position is foggy after the club designated Jose Siri for assignment. He elected free agency. Cedric Mullins will also hit the open market.
Taylor, who is eligible for arbitration for one more season, stands out more for his elite defense than his bat, meaning the Mets should explore another potential offensive weapon in the heart of their outfield for the upcoming season.
Starting rotation: Injuries, youth bring intrigue
Free agents: Griffin Canning
Options: Frankie Montas (player)
Under control: Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong, Christian Scott
Outlook: The only change in the Mets’ rotation for the beginning of next season is Canning, who suffered a ruptured Achilles, and Montas, who underwent elbow surgery. The Mets are likely to be on the hook for Montas’ $17 million option without him competing during the season.
Megill is also set to miss the entirety of the 2026 season following elbow surgery.
The biggest task for the Mets’ front office is who can headline the rotation after Peterson did it for the first half of 2025 but faded down the stretch. McLean picked up the slack in the final month but has yet to pitch an entire MLB season.
Many of the contributors to this season’s rotation will be in the mix in 2026, but it is a matter of what they can do to improve a unit that lagged during the team’s rough close to the campaign.
Bullpen: Will Edwin Diaz be back?
Free agents: Ryne Stanek, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto
Options: Edwin Diaz (player), A.J. Minter (player), Brooks Raley (club), Drew Smith (club)
Under control: Huascar Brazoban, Reed Garrett, Max Kranick, Austin Warren, Dylan Ross, Danny Young
Outlook: The Mets’ bullpen figures to look very different heading into the 2026 season, with Stanek and the club’s three trade deadline acquisitions — Helsley, Rogers and Soto — set to explore their options.
The biggest question will be whether Diaz exercises his player option for his final two seasons, which are valued at $27 million, after posting 28 saves with a 1.63 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.
Expect A.J. Minter, who missed the majority of the 2025 season with a torn late, to opt in for $11 million, and the Mets have a juicy opportunity to bring back Raley for $4.75 million after a tremendous bounce-back from Tommy John. Smith’s club option is valued at $2 million after he missed a season with Tommy John.
Beyond that, there is a noticeable drop-off with Brazoban being the only regular contributor under team control. Garrett is set to miss 2026 following an elbow injury.