Mets Miserable 2025 Season Brings Questions for Offseason Reset

Ask anyone in New York to describe the New York Mets’ 2025 season and they’d likely call it disappointing, miserable and worthy of baseball’s laughingstocks. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

Only 12 months ago, the Mets were in the National League Championship Series against the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers, riding good vibes, smiles from the baseball gods, and Grimace’s magic touch on an improbable run. Coming off a magical season, expectations were sky-high in Queens. But those expectations were crushed after an 83-79 finish, which resulted in missing the playoffs just one season after missing the World Series by two games.

There are many questions that need to be answered in Queens this winter—about offense, defense, future prospects and the coaching staff. Here’s what to look for this offseason as the Mets strive to contend in 2026.

What Went Wrong in 2025?

Every aspect of the Mets’ play had significant issues in 2025, but none was more evident than their lack of run prevention. At the beginning of the season, the Mets’ starting rotation was a major weak point. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns failed to sign any frontline starters during the offseason, forcing the club to rely on what worked in 2024: fixing journeyman arms.

Kodai Senga, who pitched just 10 1/3 innings in 2024 including the postseason, opened 2025 as the Mets’ ace. David Peterson, a lefty who had a stellar end to 2024, served as the rotation’s workhorse. Tylor Megill, to the chagrin of Mets fans, opened as the team’s No. 3 starter. Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning joined as the Mets’ new additions and wild cards. Sean Manaea, who received an extension last winter, began the season on the injured list, along with Frankie Montas, a journeyman who hasn’t been the same since injuries derailed his career.

Surprisingly, Stearns’ strategy worked—at least early on. Through June 12, the Mets led the majors with a 2.83 team ERA and were second in staff WAR at 10.9. They ranked in the top 10 in expected ERA and strikeouts per nine innings, and 13th in innings pitched by starters. Senga had an ERA below 2.00, and Peterson was on track for his first All-Star appearance. Canning, who never had an ERA below 4.30 with the Angels, posted a 3.77 ERA. And Holmes, converted from an All-Star closer to a starter, showed potential as a reliable middle-of-the-rotation arm.

The rotation and bullpen were strong enough in the early months to carry the team while the offense struggled with runners in scoring position. On June 12, the Mets’ record peaked at 45-25, largely due to elite run prevention. But that very strength soon became their downfall.

The rotation fell apart after June 12. The Mets dealt with numerous injuries, including Canning’s Achilles tear, Megill’s Tommy John surgery, and a hamstring strain for Senga. The remaining pitchers—Peterson, Holmes, Manaea (after returning), Montas (after returning), and Paul Blackburn—failed to pitch deep into games and struggled with command. Although Mets starters were 13th in innings pitched before June 12, they ranked last from June 13 through Oct. 1. Mets pitchers finished bottom five in walks per nine innings, ERA, WHIP, and expected ERA.

The Mets tried to correct course by promoting top pitching prospects Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong. They flashed potential as future front-line starters, but their efforts weren’t enough.

The bottom line: It’s nearly impossible to win when starting pitchers consistently fail to get through five innings and issue excessive walks. That overworks the bullpen—most of whom are only designed to throw 65 to 70 innings per season—and eventually, the ‘pen breaks.

But it’s not like the rest of the team played like a World Series contender, either.

Talented Core, Frustrating Offense

The Mets’ position player group was as talented as any in baseball—yet the offense was often frustrating. If, at the start of 2025, someone had described the seasons Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo would have, most fans would’ve bet on a playoff berth.

Soto once again led baseball in walks (127), posted a .263/.396/.525 slash line, hit a career-high 43 home runs, and is expected to finish in the top five in National League MVP voting. He consistently set the table for Alonso, who had his best season since 2019. Alonso finished with 126 RBIs, 41 doubles, 38 homers and a .272/.347/.524 line. Nimmo hit a career-high 25 homers. Lindor recorded another 30-30 season.

It’s hard to blame that quartet.

However, the rest of the lineup failed to support them consistently. Some players made leaps—Brett Baty (3.1 WAR) possibly saved his Mets career, Starling Marte posted a .745 OPS at age 36, and Francisco Alvarez had the best OPS of his career (.787) while continuing his elite defense.

Still, inconsistency and injuries struck. Baty, Marte and Alvarez all spent time on the injured list. Mark Vientos, who earned the starting third base job out of spring training after a breakout 2024, regressed with a .702 OPS, 17 home runs and a -0.2 WAR—a far cry from his 3.1 WAR season the year before.

The Mets’ big deadline acquisition, Cedric Mullins, posted a dreadful .565 OPS. Tyrone Taylor, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio each turned in disappointing seasons at the plate.

The most frustrating part? The Mets were unlucky. They ranked second in hard-hit rate, expected batting average, expected slugging percentage, and barrel percentage—and third in average exit velocity. Yet they finished middle of the pack in actual batting average, OBP and slugging. They hit the ball hard—just right at defenders—and left too many runners stranded.

Bullpen Breakdowns

Outside of Edwin Díaz — who is on pace for a second NL Reliever of the Year award — the bullpen was one of the worst in baseball.

• Sixth-most blown saves (27)

• 232 walks issued

• Dozens of relievers cycled in and out

Ryan Helsley tipped pitches regularly, costing multiple games. Tyler Rogers couldn’t pitch with runners on base. Reed Garrett couldn’t consistently land his splitter. The bullpen was overworked and underperforming — and the combination cost the Mets game after game.

Looking Ahead to Winter

A big shake-up is coming. The Mets have 11 pending free agents and five players with contract options. The free agents include Alonso, Marte, Mullins, Helsley, Rogers, Canning, Jesse Winker, Gregory Soto, Ryne Stanek, Richard Lovelady and Chris Devenski.

Díaz has a player option he’s likely to opt out of in favor of a larger deal. Montas is expected to opt into his deal as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery. Reliever A.J. Minter is also expected to opt in after missing significant time in 2025 due to a lat injury.

The Mets hold club options on Drew Smith—who missed the 2025 season after Tommy John surgery but is expected to return—and Brooks Raley, who was arguably the most reliable reliever not named Díaz.

Despite the potential losses, the Mets still have many players under contract or eligible for arbitration.