As the Major League Baseball offseason approaches, the New York Mets are beginning to lay the groundwork for a new campaign, looking to leverage the winter market to improve a roster that fell short of expectations in the previous season. Despite assembling a lineup that included marquee players and signing significant free agents, the Mets were unable to achieve the ultimate goal of reaching the postseason, culminating in a particularly disappointing end to the 2024 MLB season. Their playoff hopes were dashed by the Miami Marlins, who eliminated the Queens-based team, leaving fans and executives alike to contemplate a series of necessary adjustments for the upcoming season.
The disappointment of missing the postseason cannot be understated. Just a year prior, the Mets had been considered among the elite teams in baseball, boasting one of the best records in the league at various points in the season. By June, the team had positioned itself as a front-runner, drawing excitement and high expectations from fans, analysts, and the media alike. However, despite those promising midseason performances, injuries and inconsistent play ultimately undermined their push for a playoff berth, highlighting vulnerabilities in both their starting rotation and bullpen that the front office now hopes to address. As the winter market opens, the Mets are expected to be active not only in pursuing new talent but also in reevaluating the current composition of their roster, making tough decisions on which players to retain and which to move on from.
Central to this offseason shuffle is right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga, who has emerged as a key figure in trade discussions. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Senga is “extremely available,” signaling that the Mets may be ready to part ways with the 32-year-old veteran in order to restructure their pitching staff. Executives within the organization reportedly anticipate that a trade is likely this winter, given both Senga’s potential value on the open market and the team’s broader strategic considerations. Senga is under contract for another two years on his five-year, $75 million deal, which means that any prospective trade partner would acquire a player with proven talent, albeit one whose availability and durability have been hampered by injuries in recent seasons.
Senga’s track record when healthy has been nothing short of impressive. After making a strong impression in his rookie season in 2023, earning All-Star honors and recording a 2.98 ERA along with 202 strikeouts in 29 starts, Senga was poised to build on that success. Unfortunately, the 2024 season was marred by setbacks from the very beginning. During spring training, Senga suffered a shoulder injury that delayed the start of his season. When he finally returned to the mound on July 26, he suffered a calf strain while leaving after a pop-up, further limiting his ability to contribute meaningfully. The combination of these injuries meant that he made only a single regular-season appearance in 2024, leaving the Mets without the dependable arm they had hoped would anchor the rotation.
The Mets’ decision to make Senga available highlights the challenges they face in balancing the potential of a talented player against the risk of recurring injuries. While his on-field performance has demonstrated the kind of dominance that can transform a pitching staff, the uncertainty surrounding his health presents a difficult calculus for the organization. If traded, Senga could fetch a significant return, providing the Mets with opportunities to acquire prospects or players that could address other needs on the roster, particularly as the team looks to avoid a repeat of the previous season’s struggles.
In addition to Senga, the Mets are also parting ways with right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, who had a tumultuous tenure in Queens. On Tuesday, the team designated Montas for assignment and subsequently granted him an unconditional release, effectively ending what was an underwhelming stint with the organization. Montas had initially been signed to a two-year, $34 million contract in December 2024, with an opt-out clause after the 2025 season, signaling that the Mets were taking a calculated risk on a pitcher with a mixed track record and a history of injuries.
The decision to release Montas was rooted in both performance concerns and ongoing health issues. The 32-year-old pitcher had already struggled with significant injuries prior to joining the Mets, missing nearly the entirety of the 2023 season. Those concerns were realized in February 2025 when it was announced that he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a high-grade strain of the latissimus dorsi, an injury that prevented him from starting the regular season on schedule. Over the course of his time in New York, Montas failed to establish consistency, leaving the front office with little choice but to sever ties in order to free up roster space and redirect resources toward more reliable contributors.
The departures of both Senga and Montas underscore the broader challenges facing the Mets as they enter this offseason. While the organization has invested heavily in talent over recent years, the combination of injuries, underperformance, and roster composition has created a need for reassessment. The team must now navigate a delicate balance between retaining high-upside players and mitigating risk, ensuring that the investments made in prior seasons are protected while also making strategic moves that position the franchise for success in the coming year.
This offseason will likely see the Mets exploring multiple avenues to strengthen their roster. The team’s front office is expected to actively monitor free-agent pitchers, evaluate trade opportunities both within and outside the league, and consider internal options from the minor leagues to fill gaps created by departures. Given the increasing competitiveness of the National League East, the Mets will need to be proactive in identifying players who can provide immediate impact while also contributing to long-term sustainability. Their approach may include targeting pitchers who can offer innings stability, relievers capable of performing in high-leverage situations, and position players who can enhance depth and flexibility throughout the season.
Adding complexity to the Mets’ decision-making is the salary and contract landscape. With high-profile players on the roster, including established stars and rising talents, the team must carefully manage payroll while making strategic acquisitions. The financial implications of retaining or trading pitchers like Senga and Montas are significant, as any move will affect not only the current budget but also the team’s flexibility in pursuing future signings. This balancing act requires careful evaluation of both immediate needs and long-term objectives, ensuring that the Mets remain competitive while avoiding contracts that could hinder roster maneuverability in subsequent seasons.
The Mets’ offseason activity will also be closely scrutinized by fans and analysts alike. New York is one of baseball’s most high-profile markets, and expectations for success are always elevated. As such, each trade, signing, or roster adjustment will be dissected for its potential impact, both in the short term and over the life of the contract. The decisions made regarding Senga and Montas, in particular, are likely to be interpreted as indicators of the team’s broader philosophy: whether the Mets prioritize a rebuild around health and stability, take calculated risks on high-upside talent, or seek to balance both approaches in pursuit of a championship-caliber roster.
In addition to the on-field considerations, the Mets’ approach this winter may also reflect lessons learned from the 2024 season. Injuries to key players, particularly in the pitching staff, highlighted the importance of depth and durability. While talent remains crucial, the ability to field a roster capable of weathering the inevitable challenges of a 162-game season is equally important. By addressing weaknesses and making strategic changes, the Mets hope to build a team that can sustain performance over the course of the season and contend for a playoff spot in one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.
Beyond the practical considerations of roster construction, the Mets’ offseason moves are also likely to have broader implications for team culture and fan engagement. High-profile trades and signings generate excitement and anticipation, creating momentum that can carry into the regular season. For a team that missed the postseason despite strong performances earlier in the year, the opportunity to demonstrate proactive management and a commitment to winning is critical. How the Mets approach the winter market balancing trades, free-agent signings, and internal promotions will be closely watched as a measure of the organization’s vision and strategic acumen.
In conclusion, the New York Mets enter the offseason facing a series of complex decisions. With the departure of Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas, the team is taking steps to recalibrate its pitching staff and create opportunities to strengthen other areas of the roster. The challenges of injuries, contract management, and competitive pressures in the National League East add layers of difficulty, requiring careful consideration from the front office. At the same time, these moves represent an opportunity for the Mets to demonstrate strategic foresight, address critical weaknesses, and position themselves as legitimate contenders in the 2025 MLB season.
The upcoming months will be pivotal for the Queens franchise. The decisions made regarding player trades, free-agent signings, and roster management will set the tone for the team’s trajectory, with the goal of combining talent, durability, and depth to avoid a repeat of the disappointments of the previous year. For Mets fans, the hope is that a proactive and thoughtful approach to the winter market will translate into on-field success, renewed excitement, and a return to postseason contention, a goal that remains firmly within reach if the organization can navigate the offseason with precision and strategic insight.
