Reese Kaplan -- Who Should or Should Not Be Future Mets?

You can visit any number of media outlets these days profiling what the Mets will, could or should do to improve their stagnation that’s existed pretty much since the season began.  We can list any number of pitchers, hitters and future prospects who might be included in deals that may or may not ever happen. 

Instead, let’s take a look at the current roster in the majors and in the near minors to see who is here, who will no longer be here when the season ends and who may be arriving (slim chance) in 2025 or more likely in 2026.

Outfield

Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo are givens.  They are in the midst of long term contracts and while their respective seasons had their ups and downs it’s clear they are half of the Fab Four offensive attack.  Beyond Jeff McNeil morphing into an outfielder the rest of the outfield roster is filled with either guys hurt, ones who can’t field or ones who simply can’t perform.

Infield

The other half of that Fab Four — Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso — should be here as well.  The difference here is that Alonso has the option to test free agency again when the 2025 season ends in September or October.  Consequently there should be a plan for replacing not only the run production Alonso delivers but also to field the position of first base. 

The rest of the infield is an unsettled mess.  There’s no need to rehash the numbers coming from Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio or Mark Vientos.  The conclusion is the same.  None has established himself as the answer in 2025 and therefore likely isn’t guaranteed to be on the roster in 2026.  Recently David Stearns indicated he would be willing to trade from his infielder surplus to address team needs.  Who’da thunk it (FINALLY)?

Catcher

Well, the return of Francisco Alvarez will determine how well the Mets will fare not only for the remainder of this year but in the future.  Alvarez is young enough to evolve and prosper but we all watched him struggle behind the plate and at the plate much of last year and this year as well.  For now it’s unlikely they are addressing a change here until he implodes in August and September.

Designated Hitter

Outgoing players Starling Marte and Jesse Winker both have no contractual guarantees beyond 2025.  Considering how much time they’ve missed with injuries it is unlikely that the club will bank on this pair to serve the DH role next year, but less interesting things have happened in the past.

Starting Pitching

Here it gets interesting.  Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas are all under multiyear contracts ensuring their returns for next season as well.  David Peterson is going to be back as he is arbitration eligible in 2026 and not free agent eligible until 2027.  So it would seem that the starting rotation (baring unforeseen trades being made) would appear to be filled. 

The folks who are not ensured a return include Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning and hopefully Tylor Megill, as well as miscellaneous other injured starting pitchers.

One name many have forgotten is former rookie starter Christian Scott who in 2026 should be back from his Tommy John Surgery providing depth for the rotation as well as some of the AAA folks including Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, Blade Tidwell and Dom Hamel.  Jonah Tong is still in AA and likely will being 2026 in Syracuse unless he gets promoted there for a look-see next month.

Relief Pitching

Wow, what a mess here.  Edwin Diaz is here now but has an opt-out which he may very well exercise after his All Star dominance this year.  Brooks Raley is back but there is no long term plan here yet.  Then there are Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett, Jose Butto and a myriad of others who are less effective.  Gone for the foreseeable future are Dedniel Nunez, A.J. Minter, Danny Young and Max Kranick.  Obviously this black hole needs the major attention it has needed since April yet nothing has been done except the healing of Raley.  Expect a number of new names and faces to appear here.