Before the 4 P.M. deadline, three New York Mets players declined the team’s qualifying offers. The offers, each worth $21.05 million for a one-year deal in the 2025 season, were extended to First Baseman Pete Alonso, and Starting Pitchers Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. While these players opted to test the market, there’s still a silver lining for the Mets: if any of them sign with another team during the 2024 MLB offseason, New York will receive draft-pick compensation.
These three stars played pivotal roles in the Mets’ unexpected journey to the NLCS, where they ultimately fell in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team remains hopeful and open to negotiations to bring these key contributors back to Flushing Meadows for 2025 and beyond. The question now is: how many of these players will the Mets manage to re-sign this offseason?
New York Mets Had a Great Season Thanks To This Trio
Pete Alonso had a standout season in 2024, earning recognition as a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award at first base. While the honor ultimately went to Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, Alonso’s performance solidified his status as one of the league’s premier hitters. Both Alonso and the Mets’ leadership, including President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and Owner Steve Cohen, have expressed mutual interest in reaching a long-term agreement to keep the slugger in Queens for years to come.
Sean Manaea delivered the best season of his career in 2024, establishing himself as the ace of the Mets’ rotation. During the regular season, Manaea ranked among the league’s top 20 in ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP, leading the team in many critical pitching categories. However, the postseason proved more challenging for him. Manaea went 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA, including a rough outing in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, where he allowed five earned runs in just two innings, ending the Mets’ season.
Luis Severino, meanwhile, enjoyed a career resurgence in his first season with the Mets. Unlike Manaea, Severino excelled in the postseason, posting an impressive 3.24 ERA and playing a key role in New York’s playoff success.
As the Mets work to re-sign these key players, their performances—both highs and lows—will weigh heavily in the team’s negotiations and decisions for the 2025 season and beyond.
Final Thoughts
While retaining Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, and Luis Severino is critical for the Mets’ future, the team has its sights set on an even bigger prize: superstar Center Fielder Juan Soto. According to Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay, Mets owner Steve Cohen is prepared to outbid everyone, reportedly willing to offer $50 million more than the highest bidder to bring Soto to Flushing.
Soto, one of baseball’s most electrifying talents, is expected to command a record-breaking $700 million contract. The Mets will face fierce competition from powerhouse teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers in the Soto sweepstakes. Securing his services would be a monumental move that could transform the franchise’s trajectory.
Once the Soto situation is resolved, the Mets can focus on shaping their 2025 roster, whether that means re-signing key contributors or pursuing additional free agents. With several contracts coming off the books following a successful 2024 campaign, New York enters this offseason with the resources and expectations to build a World Series contender. Today’s qualifying offer rejections were anticipated, but they highlight the uphill battle the Mets face in retaining their core players while also aiming to add marquee talent.
The stakes are high, but the Mets are ready to make bold moves to ensure 2025 is a season to remember.
