The New York Mets have been heavily involved in pursuing top talent both on the mound and at the plate, and a key ace they missed out on last offseason might finally be available in the upcoming one.
Throughout the winter of 2023 and 2024, the Mets were actively interested in San Francisco Giants star pitcher Blake Snell. Despite months of negotiation, Snell and his agent, Scott Boras, did not finalize a lucrative multi-year deal, making the 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner one of the most sought-after players left on the market.
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Snell eventually re-signed with San Francisco on March 19, just before the start of the 2024 season. After overcoming a significant slump, he has improved his stats to a solid 4.31 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 62.2 innings. As he approaches free agency in 2025, Snell is again a hot commodity.
According to Pat Ragazzo of SI’s New York Mets, the Mets could have a chance to acquire Snell if he opts out of his contract. Ragazzo notes that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns couldn’t secure a top-tier pitcher at the trade deadline but might target Snell if he becomes available this winter. MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that Snell is likely to decline his $30 million player option for 2025 and enter free agency once more.
The Mets, led by owner Steve Cohen and president David Stearns, must decide if pursuing the reigning MLB ERA leader is worth the investment to build a World Series-contending roster for the next season.
With Mets ace Kodai Senga sidelined for much of 2024, the team has had a chance to evaluate its other pitchers, including Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and a resurgent Jose Quintana. Even with Senga’s return, the Mets will need an additional top-tier arm to compete with NL powerhouses like the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.
With $141.75 million in active salaries for 2025 and nearly $98.4 million in tax space, along with $124.2 million in cash, the Mets have the financial flexibility to make a strong push for Snell. Acquiring him could be the key to tipping the scales for the Mets next season and beyond.
