Three questions facing the New York Mets this offseason

A season that began with lofty aspirations ended in disappointment for the New York Mets.

Just a year after pushing the Los Angeles Dodgers to six games in the NLCS, the Mets found themselves out of the playoffs as they lost the tiebreaker to the Cincinnati Reds. A 10-15 September, including an eight-game losing streak, was the nail in the coffin of their postseason aspirations.

The Mets find themselves in a difficult position as the offseason approaches. Several key players are expected to re-enter the free-agent market. The outfield and pitching staff are filled with question marks. The Mets have a lot of work to do to fulfill their World Series aspirations.

Let’s take a look at three questions facing New York this offseason.

1. Are Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz worth bringing back?Alonso and Diaz are expected to opt out of their contracts this offseason with an eye toward a long-term deal in free agency. Both players should have robust markets after a strong showing in 2025. Diaz posted a 1.63 ERA and a 0.874 WHiP over his 66.1 innings, notching 28 saves while striking out 98 batters. Alonso rebounded from a pair of disappointing seasons to post .272/.347/.524 batting line with 38 homers and a league leading 41 doubles in 709 plate appearances.

If the Mets needed to choose between the two, Diaz may be the more pressing need. He has been a lockdown closer and thrived in New York. Alonso, meanwhile, is limited to first base defensively and may need to shift to the designated hitter role in the near future. Given the Mets’ other holes, president of baseball operations David Stearns may be reluctant to meet their price tag.

2. Can the Mets count on Kodai Senga?Senga has been dominant when healthy. He posted a 2.98 ERA and a 1.220 WHiP over his 166.1 innings in 2023, striking out 202 batters as he made the All-Star team and finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year vote. After missing most of 2024 due to injury, he had a strong start to the season, posting a 1.47 ERA and a 1.113 WHiP over his first 73.2 innings before landing on the Injured List with a strained right hamstring.

He was not the same pitcher when he returned, posting a 5.90 ERA and a 1.689 WHiP over his final 39.2 innings before being sent to the minors. Senga plans on focusing on his mechanics during the offseason and should be healthy for spring training. However, until Senga proves he can stay healthy and contribute, the Mets may not be able to count on him taking the ball every fifth day.

3. What will the Mets bullpen look like in 2026?While Diaz is an important part of the Mets’ success, he is not the only reliever that could depart this offseason. Ryan Helsley, Ryne Stanek, Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers are slated to reach free agency. Relievers Reed Garrett and Dedneil Nunez will miss the 2026 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Although Stearns has typically not spent significant amounts on the bullpen, he may not have a choice.

The Mets do have one potentially intriguing option already on the roster. Senga spent time in the bullpen early in his career Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. His splitter could be devasting in as reliever, potentially giving the Mets a high leverage option should be struggle as a starter in spring training.