New York Mets Preview
Few teams have tried harder to win than the New York Mets. You have to give credit to the franchise, because it doesn’t just cut corners. They really go out there and try to build their best team every season. There are a lot of complaints about the Dodgers, but the Mets seem to be trying to create a similar structure. Unfortunately for them, it was not as successful. Will this be the year the Mets’ cash spending gives them what they’re looking for?
Last year’s recap:
The Mets have the Detroit Tigers to thank for their collapse. In 2024, the Mets turn the page and start to dominate. Remember when they had Grimace magic? They were one of the best teams in baseball and carried that success all the way to the NLCS. Then last season they were 21 games above .500 on June 12. They continued with a 38-55 record for the remainder of the season. They also had three losing streaks of at least seven games during that stretch. Even when they looked hot, winning seven games in a row after the All-Star Break, they followed up by losing 14 of 16 games. They missed the playoffs and lost to the Reds.
Off-season movements:
You knew this team was going to do some tinkering, but major changes happened. Pete Alonso, a Mets mainstay for years, left for Baltimore in a pretty shocking move. They adapted by signing Bo Bichette, who isn’t the power threat that Alonso was, but could give the roster a little more balance. They also added Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and some weapons. It was a good move to replace some of the guys who left. Two other moves, trading for Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr., could be the ones that propel the Mets to the top this season.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 04: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after striking out against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of the Division Series opener at American Family Field on October 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
List:
The Mets received some bad news that Francisco Lindor will likely miss time. If they’re healthy, there really aren’t many weak positions, and even if there are, I would expect the team to be involved in trade talks during the year. The biggest question, for me, is Luis Robert Jr. He is very talented, but can he stay healthy? So far in his career, he’s shown that’s not the case. Injuries are a risk for everyone, but there is a combination of injuries and older guys in this lineup that worries me. Polanco is 33 and should be fine. He’s coming off an excellent year. Semien is 36 years old and only played in 127 games last year. Bichette was injured a lot last season, but at least he’s younger. Juan Soto, in his second season with the Mets, might be more comfortable. The bullpen should be decent for the Mets, but the rotation is still questionable at best. Peralta secures a spot, but the rest of the team is made up of guys who have had recent success, but not necessarily ones I want to lean on.
Betting Outlook:
The Mets are -310 to make the playoffs, and frankly I don’t get it. The Marlins should be good, the Nationals will be bad, the Phillies should have another good year and the Braves are going to be better than last season. It’s just their division. If they make the playoffs, I expect it to be in the Wild Card. However, I personally am not going into this season seeing their rotation and thinking they should make the playoffs. Give me no to +250. I also think less than 90.5 is the right look. They’re not that deep of a team beyond their starting lineup, and you’re counting on some guys to be as good as they were last year, when we saw people struggle during their first year in New York.
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