In just over a day, the Mets lost two vital players from their roster as first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz signed with other teams for the 2024 season. Diaz joined the , while Alonso chose the Orioles. Although the Mets made a competitive offer to Diaz, they seemingly did not pursue Alonso seriously, marking a split that began last winter when Alonso became a free agent.
Diaz departs after six seasons with the Mets, during which he had three standout years, including an elite 2025 season. Alonso leaves as one of the franchise’s most powerful hitters, holding both the career and single-season home run records for the Mets. Since his debut in 2019, only a few players like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more home runs than him. Diaz was reportedly upset by the Mets signing Devin Williams after he opted out of his contract, and the Mets appeared uninterested in retaining Alonso on a lengthy deal.
Both players have been pivotal in the Mets’ recent playoff runs, and their departures mark a significant change. After missing the playoffs last season, the team must now find value elsewhere. Devin Williams is expected to bolster the bullpen, potentially reclaiming his top closer status. Setup roles are currently filled by AJ Minter and Adbert Alzolay, though trade rumors connect the Mets to Brewers All-Star reliever Trevor Megill, indicating the front office is still seeking improvements.
On the offensive side, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto remain staples, with Marcus Semien recently acquired. Despite a down year, Semien’s slump may be temporary. The Mets’ current first baseman is likely Mark Vientos, who struggled last season but excelled in 2024 and is still young at 25. Brett Batty is expected at third base, while 24-year-old Ronnie Mauricio could serve as the designated hitter.
With the season still months away, the Mets have time to make further moves. Free agents like Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, and Kyle Tucker, along with top prospect Carson Benge and NPB import Munetaka Murakami, are among the potential targets to fortify weak spots like center field and third base. Although losing Alonso and Diaz is a setback, there are many opportunities left for the Mets to rebuild and compete.
Fan Take: This offseason shakeup is crucial for baseball fans because it signals a major shift in the Mets’ strategy, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the NL East. Watching how the Mets replace two cornerstone players will be fascinating and might influence how other teams approach rebuilding and free agency.
