ANGRY MIKE: 2025 METS SEASON REVIEW: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY…

ANGRY MIKE 

THE GOOD

Juan Soto had a historic inaugural season to his Mets career, setting several franchise records in the process:

1st player ever to record a 40+ HR || 30+ SB (2 steals shy of the franchise’s first 40/40 club member).

126 walks broke John Olerud’s record (125 BB)

43 Homers is the 2nd highest by Mets OF -> 2nd to Willie Mays (48 HR)

As good as Soto’s personal achievements were, watching the “Soto Effect” facilitate career years for the players batting around him in the lineup was truly a sight to see. It was the first time in franchise history, the Mets had 3 players hit 30+ Homers in the same season, as well as having 4 players tally 25 or more Homers in the season. Soto and his fellow “Big Money veterans”, Lindor, Alonso, and Nimmo were at times the most lethal quartet of hitters in the MLB, carrying the offense at various stretches of the season. Their performance as a group more than justifies the Mets retaining Alonso for the next few years, if that is the direction they wish to pursue.

The Mets nucleus of younger sluggers finally flashed the tremendous potential they showed in the minors, Brett Baty having the breakout season many of his supporters were hoping for on both sides of the ball. Baty provided above average defense at third base and second base, and has only begun to scratch the surface of his tremendous offensive potential. Mark Vientos had a decent sophomore season, unfortunately it came short of his 2024 production, which is why he is unjustly being crucified by every journalist, podcaster, and Mets fan trolling his efforts to boost engagement. After being demoted to AAA for part of the season to add another year of team control, Francisco Alvarez finished the season strong, despite playing with a torn UCL in his right thumb. Ronny Mauricio proved he was fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him for over a year and flashed the tools his loyal supporters believe will eventually allow him to be a dynamic weapon in the Mets offense as he develops further.

David Peterson was an All-Star, who looked like the veteran presence capable of leading the rotation, until a brutal second half in which he looked gassed destroyed his season. Kodai Senga was pitching exceptionally well until a June 12th hamstring injury derailed his season. Edwin Diaz arguably had one of his most dominant seasons, quickly silencing velocity concerns during Spring Training. Clay Holmes successfully transformed himself into a mid-rotation starter, delivering his best start of his career when the Mets needed it most in a must win situation against the Marlins during the final weekend of the season. The Mets top 3 pitching prospects all flashed tremendous potential, led by Nolan McLean who looks like the early favorite for the 2026 Rookie of the Year and perhaps even Cy Young votes.

THE BAD 

The Mets lineup was plagued by inconsistencies and periods of time where they disappeared, combined with the systematic failures of the pitching staff, it’s not surprising the Mets had 3 losing streaks of 7+ games. Situational hitting was a huge problem for the Mets, and many seem quick to place the blame solely on the players. Our trio of young sluggers had months where they looked like future all-stars and other times when they struggled to make consistent contact. The Mets overall team defense left a lot to be desired, but the hope is Jett Williams (2B) and Carson Benge (CF) can solidify those positions after they arrive. 

THE UGLY

Sean Manea had a disastrous 2025 season, despite leveraging an above-average 2024 season into a monster payday. He immediately began the season on the D.L. due to an oblique injury he suffered in Spring Training, fortunately he was healthy enough to attend a Shakira concert with Lindor and Mendoza while on the I.L. and when he returned he was a complete disaster. Some claim his ineffectiveness could’ve been caused because it was discovered he had loose bodies in his elbow, and expect him to have a bounce back season after a full off-season to get healthy. Frankie Montas was colossal failure and that’s putting it lightly. He showed up to Spring Training in terrible shape, proceeded to then injury himself, and when he finally did return he looked like someone who didn’t seem to understand the concept of pitching from a fundamental standpoint. Luckily for him he’ll get to earn another $17 million during the 2025 season while recovering from TJ surgery, and luckily for the Mets we’ll never have to see him pitch for the Mets ever again. 

A.J. Minter was the biggest gun added to the bullpen and he was lost for the season by the middle of May after finally appearing to look healthy. Minter also has an opt-out but it is expected he will look to remain with the Mets for the 2026 season so he can prove he is fully healthy and still capable of serving as a high-leverage reliever. All of Stearns reclamation projects for the bullpen can be collectively described as a nuclear grade dumpster fire, the only thing worse then them were the relievers we acquired at the trade deadline who flat out cost the Mets their chance of qualifying for the postseason.

Everything that could have gone wrong for the Mets in 2025, did go wrong, but there are plenty of positives for the Mets to build on for the 2026 season. What is important is for the management to identify the team’s strengths and implement changes to help fortify our primary areas of concern. There is far too much experience at the higher levels for them to not do a better a job at putting their players in positions succeed for the 2026 season.