The New York Mets boast one of the most formidable lineups in baseball, thanks in part to their acquisition of Juan Soto. Bringing back Pete Alonso further solidified the top of the order, making it a dangerous offensive unit. With Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, Alonso, and Soto anchoring the lineup, the Mets should have no trouble generating plenty of runs. However, the real challenge for New York will be preventing runs, especially following the news that Sean Manaea will begin the season on the injured list due to an oblique injury.
David Stearns prioritized pitching depth during the offseason, recognizing its importance in a long season. Re-signing Manaea after his stellar 2024 campaign was a key move, and the Mets also brought in Frankie Montas to help stabilize the back end of the rotation. Unfortunately, Montas is also set to begin the season on the IL, leaving the team scrambling to fill multiple rotation spots. As of now, only Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes are locked into starting roles, leaving three open spots to be filled.
On the positional side, Nick Madrigal, who signed a split contract, was expected to play a role similar to that of Jose Iglesias in 2024. However, his dislocated shoulder has fueled speculation about whether the Mets will make additional moves. Fortunately, they have internal options to fill that void, with Brett Baty emerging as the most likely candidate to secure the final position player spot on the roster. If Baty continues to perform, the Mets may shift their focus toward acquiring another starting pitcher rather than looking for more infield depth.
How Will the Mets Address Manaea’s Absence?
With Manaea sidelined, the Mets need to find a reliable solution for their rotation. While they do have internal candidates, a familiar face from their past could be a logical choice to help stabilize the pitching staff. Before Manaea’s injury, the competition for the final two rotation spots included Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill, and Griffin Canning. Now, with three vacancies, all of them could make the rotation. However, relying on all three could be risky, as each has a career ERA over 4.00.
One viable option still available in free agency is veteran left-hander José Quintana. Last season, he made 31 starts and posted a solid 3.75 ERA. More impressively, he finished the 2024 season on a strong note, recording a 2.43 ERA over his final 10 starts. Signing Quintana would give the Mets an experienced and dependable arm to fill the void in the rotation.
Another intriguing possibility is Brandon Sproat, the Mets’ top pitching prospect. The 24-year-old right-hander performed well across three minor league levels last season, compiling a 3.56 ERA while striking out 131 batters in 24 games. If he impresses in Spring Training, he could earn a spot in the rotation sooner than expected. Many scouts believe Sproat has the potential to become a top-tier starter, which is exactly what the Mets need in the wake of these injuries.
With both Manaea and Montas starting the 2025 season on the IL, the Mets have a significant hole to fill in their rotation. While they have multiple in-house options, it remains to be seen whether they will rely solely on internal solutions or look to free agency for reinforcements. Either way, addressing their pitching concerns will be critical to their success in 2025.
