The Mets recently missed out on signing the top available pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who opted for a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers, leaving the team and its fans wondering what the future holds. This was a significant blow, given that the Mets had heavily invested their early offseason efforts in pursuing Yamamoto, and failing to secure his services is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the team’s long-term plans.
Yamamoto’s appeal extended beyond his immense talent, as he was seen as a vital addition to the Mets’ vision for a more competitive future starting in 2025. The 25-year-old’s free agency was truly unique, prompting owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns to personally fly to Japan to court him. However, despite their best efforts, the Mets fell short in their pursuit of Yamamoto, leaving them with an incomplete roster and uncertainty about the way forward.
With the next-best starters on the market not featuring in the Mets’ immediate plans, the team is unlikely to pursue names like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, or Shōta Imanaga. Instead, they will focus on short-term commitments for pitchers to complement their roster, similar to the recent additions of Luis Severino and Adrian Houser.
Pitchers like Michael Lorenzen, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Hyun Jin Ryu, who are open to one- or two-year deals, are prime targets for the Mets. Even someone like Lucas Giolito, coming off a subpar season, could pique the team’s interest if the cost is right.
In the outfield, the Mets are not expected to pursue long-term deals and are more inclined to sign players to short-term contracts, maintaining flexibility for future moves. Players like Michael A. Taylor and Kevin Kiermaier fit this mold and could provide depth and defensive prowess to the outfield.
Although the Mets are returning most of their offense from last season, which ranked 20th in the Majors in runs per game, they may look to supplement it with signings like Justin Turner or a full-time DH like J.D. Martinez.
When it comes to the bullpen, the Mets have already made some acquisitions and are expected to continue the trend with a mix of guaranteed contracts and Minor League deals. Prudence seems to be the overarching theme for the Mets as they navigate the aftermath of missing out on Yamamoto, with a focus on sustainability and long-term success over immediate headlines.
