Even with Juan Soto aboard, Mets still have holes to fill

Carlos Mendoza did his best to try to keep the worst-kept secret in baseball.

The New York Mets manager tried everything he could not to talk about the acquisition of Juan Soto when he met with reporters Monday during MLB’s Winter Meetings as the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.

Technically, Soto is not part of the Mets’ roster. The 26-year-old right fielder must pass a physical examination before his record-breaking 15-year, $765-million contract – agreed to on Sunday night – becomes official.

However, Mendoza’s smile gave it away. He knows his team has landed the biggest player on this winter’s free agent market.

“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself,” Mendoza said. “We want to win. We want to win, and we have an owner that is willing to do whatever it takes.”

Indeed, owner Steve Cohen is willing to dip deep into his $23-billion fortune to make the Mets winners as they chase a World Series title that has eluded them since 1986. New York should have a fearsome lineup with Soto joining NL MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor – a $341-million shortstop – left fielder Brandon Nimmo, designated hitter Starling Marte, third baseman Mark Vientos, second baseman Jeff McNeil and catcher Francisco Alvarez.

Yet $765 million can only go so far in building a complete roster. The Mets still have holes despite advancing to the National League Championship Series and losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

The biggest one is at first base as Pete Alonso is a free agent after hitting 226 home runs during the first six seasons of his career. Mendoza says the Mets want Alonso back.

“Everybody knows what he brings to the table,” Mendoza said. “You know, the power, the quality at-bats, but his ability to post day in and day out. As a manager that’s a really good feeling. When you don’t have to worry about a position because you know that guy is going to be there regardless of the situation or how he’s feeling or what he’s going through. He showed this year, 162 games he played, and that says a lot.

However, there is growing speculation in baseball circles that the Mets really don’t want Alonso anymore. He turned down a six-year, $156-million contract offer from the Mets, and they have never made a second offer.

The Mets could move Vientos, a breakout star in 2024, to first base and sign or trade for a third baseman. The Mets have been linked to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, though the Houston Astros are trying desperately to re-sign him.

The Mets’ starting rotation could also use a boost after left-handers Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana and right-hander Luis Severino all became free agents. The Mets signed Manaea and Severino to one-year contracts last winter and they combined to win 23 games. 

This winter, the Mets have again signed a pair of starters – right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes – who they think can have turnaround seasons similar to Manaea and Severino. That duo will join lefty David Peterson and Kodai Senga, limited to one regular season start this year season because of injury, in the rotation.

Montas was 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA this year in 30 starts combined with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers in 2024.

Holmes is interesting because he spent the last 3 ½ seasons as a reliever with the crosstown Yankees and lost his closer’s job in September. Holmes has made just four major-league starts, all with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 as a rookie.

Mendoza has relationships with Montas and Holmes from his time as the Yankees’ bench coach.

“We have a really good system here,” Mendoza said. “Obviously we have a leading You have to give credit to our medical staff and everything they do to keep these guys on the field. Whether it was Sevy, whether it was Manaea. I mean, there's been a ton of hours working with them and using all the resources that we have. So pretty confident that our group will do the same thing with a lot of the players that will come on board this year.”

Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns continues to look for another starting pitcher and has had extensive talks with the Chicago White Sox about left-hander Garrett Crochet, who led the American League in strikeouts last season. The Mets have also been linked to free agents Nathan Eovaldi, Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta and have interest in bringing back Manaea.

Thus, the offseason work hasn’t stopped for the Mets with Soto’s jaw-dropping contract.