Stearns Discusses Offseason Plans

David Stearns said Monday the Mets will, “certainly keep in touch” with free agent Pete Alonso after the team extended him, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino qualifying offers.

“I think we’ll see how the market plays out,” Stearns told reporters when asked if the Mets will prioritize first or third base. “I think we’re fortunate. I think we have some infield depth. Obviously, Pete has been a big part of this team for a long time and certainly, we’re going to keep in touch with him.”

Qualifying offers are one-year deals (this year for $21.05 million) that a player can accept or reject to become a free agent. If a player signs elsewhere, the signing team incurs draft pick penalties. Meanwhile, the team that offered the QO gets a Draft compensation pick. The offers to Alonso and Manaea were expected. Severino’s offer – “He had a great year, we want him back,” Stearns said – was a question mark. Thirteen MLB players received QO’s Monday.

Big Swings

The offseason is expected to be a busy one for the Mets, who are rumored to be players for superstar Juan Soto, among others.

“We understand we have financial flexibility,” Stearns said. “We also understand that that flexibility is not limitless. There are bounds to what we can do. And there are bounds not only this year but there are bounds in future years. And we have to be cognizant of all of those bounds.

“Steve (Cohen) is going to support what we think are wise baseball initiatives. He’s going to support those initiatives as much as any owner in baseball. And now it’s our job to execute.”

Stearns said that Brandon Nimmo should be expected to play left field and that the team will “have to explore free agency and trade” to fill center field. But he added that the Mets have “a lot of confidence” in Tyrone Taylor, who Stearns said can play all three outfield positions.

Big Arms

He said the Mets need starting pitchers “who can carry the load for you” but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a “name-brand ace.”

“Having a horse at the front of your rotation always helps,” he said. “I think Sean (Manaea) served that this year. He had a heck of a year. There were points during this year where Sevy did that for us.”

He also talked about the Mets declining the $7.75 million team option for reliever Phil Maton.

“I think just as this stage of the offseason, wanting to keep our options open a little bit, both in terms of how we are going to structure our bullpen, who those people are, and where we are going to spend our resources in our ‘pen. I talked to Phil and expressed interest in keeping in touch, I think he feels the same way. And he’s a good pitcher, whether it’s with us or elsewhere he’s going to be just fine.”

Smaller Moves

In addition, Stearns confirmed the entire coaching staff will return in 2025 in their respective roles from 2024.

The Mets were busy Monday, claiming RP Kevin Herget from the Brewers, INF Luis De Los Santos from the Blue Jays, and sending OF DJ Stewart, LHP Joey Lucchesi and LHP Matt Gage to Syracuse. Stewart and Lucchesi declined to go to Syracuse and opted to test free agency.

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