like a signature Juan Soto Simply getting a record contract isn’t enough, and the Mets may explore another high-priced addition in the corner infield. Ari Alexander of KPRC (X-Link) reports that the Mets are one of the teams interested Alex Bregmanwhile president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo and other reporters that the Mets will “like to bring [Pete] Alonso Back”.
Stearns spoke about Alonso’s market, and perhaps broadly about the Mets’ overall payroll situation, saying: “I think our ownership has always shown that the resources are there when we need them. We have the ability to take baseball actions when we think they can improve the team and we will continue to pursue a broad range of areas to continue to improve our team.”.
That means neither Alonso, Bregman, or top pitching can be ruled out in an already intense offseason in Queens. The Mets have been so good this winter that even factoring in Soto’s huge deal, New York’s luxury tax number is still relatively modest at $251.8MM (per RosterResource estimates). While that’s over the $2.41 million tax threshold, just being over the tax line is nothing to Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose 2024 tax figure is estimated at $3.581 million Dollar.
Mark VentosHis breakout season locked him down at a corner infield spot, giving New York some flexibility when deciding what to do with the other side of the diamond. Vientos could remain at the hot corner, and the Mets could completely turn things around by re-signing popular homegrown slugger Alonso. Alternatively, the Mets could shake things up by moving Vientos to first base to make room for Bregman as the new starting third baseman.
Bregman and Alonso both declined qualifying offers, although the Mets didn’t have to give up any compensation in re-signing Alonso because he was their own free agent. Signing Soto cost the Mets $1MM of international draft pool money and their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 draft, so signing another QO-denying free agent would cost another $1MM of the bonus pool Money plus two more draft picks – New York’s third and sixth-highest picks this time. It’s not completely out of the question that the Mets would spend so much time in a draft year searching for quality winning talent, though the club’s preference might avoid another salary-tied free agent.
Speaking of pitching targets, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo writes that the Mets are with Jonathan Loaisigamarket. It is understood that Loaisiga has received interest from 14 teams, including two New York clubs. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was very familiar with Loaisiga when they worked together in the Bronx when Mendoza was the Yankees’ bench coach.
Loaisiga pitched just four innings in the 2024 season before his season was cut short due to UCL-related surgery (not Tommy John surgery). Multiple injuries have limited Loaisiga to 219 2/3 innings since his MLB debut in 2018, but the right-hander has been an interesting weapon in the bullpen as a reliever when healthy. A 3.28 ERA in 181 1/3 innings. There’s a lot of potential to buy low, so it’s no surprise that Loaisiga is attracting such widespread attention from teams in need of bullpen help.
Stearns also provided some injury updates during the media session (hat tip to DiComo and Tim Healy of Newsday ). Mets believe Paul Blackburn Will be ready for Opening Day after having surgery in October to repair a spinal fluid leak. As risky as the surgery sounds, it had a relatively short recovery time of 4-5 months, and the Mets were encouraged enough by Blackburn’s recovery that he is now expected to finish in a shorter time frame .
Blackburn may be another part of New York’s bullpen, but Stearns said the right-hander is still considered a starting pitching option. Blackburn will now start as the fifth player Gao Da Xian Jia, Frankie Montas, David Petersonand Clay Holmesthough his health throughout spring training and further Mets offseason moves could impact the rotation. Blackburn, acquired from the Athletics at last year’s trade deadline, was limited to five starts and 24 1/3 innings (5.18 ERA) due to back issues and bruised hands.
Almost exactly a year ago, the top prospect Ronnie Mauricio Mauricio suffered a torn ACL during winter ball, and Stearns said Mauricio is now returning to baseball-related activities. A former regular in the top 100 prospect rankings, Mauricio made his MLB debut with 26 games and 108 PA for the Mets in 2023, but an injury limited his chances of becoming a bigger part of the infield mix Suffered a big setback last season.
