Sports
25 Mets predictions for 2025: Pete Alonso deal, Juan Soto power, another round vs Dodgers
NY Mets: Juan Soto wears jersey for first time during press conference
Juan Soto puts on the Mets jersey and hat for the first time after being introduced as a member of the team on Dec. 12, 2024, at Citi Field.
Who could have predicted the way the Mets’ 2024 season unfolded?
Sure, there were some likely scenarios that played out, from a slow start to a Wild Card spot, as I predicted in last season’s article of 24 prognostications.
But who could have predicted that a McDonald’s mascot would become the uniting force behind a massive turnaround, or a journeyman infielder would create a Latin pop hit that would become the team’s rallying cry?
It was certainly a season to remember for the Mets. And now, as they look to craft an encore, here are 25 more predictions for how the year will unfold in 2025:
1. Billy Wagner punches ticket to Cooperstown
After closing out his ninth turn on the Hall of Fame ballot five votes shy of induction, a few writers relent and the closer, who spent parts of four seasons in Flushing, gets in narrowly.
2. David Wright stays on ballot, Carlos Beltran gets closer
David Wright remains on the Hall of Fame ballot with 5.5 percent and Carlos Beltran inches up to 62.5 percent in Year 3.
3. Roki Sasaki signs with…
Despite clear interest from the Mets, the cap on spending leads star pitcher Roki Sasaki to choose comfort and proximity to home. He goes to the San Diego Padres where he can be an ace alongside Yu Darvish.
4. Pete Alonso finally signs with…
After lengthy negotiations and spring training one month away, the Mets offer a four-year, $108 million deal that brings the Polar Bear back to man first base in Flushing.
5. Welcome back, Jesse Winker
With Alonso returning, Alex Bregman’s potential opening closes up and he rejoins AJ Hinch with the Tigers. With the Mets still having a need at designated hitter, particularly a lefty, they link back up with Jesse Winker.
6. Three young Mets compete for infield spot
As the Mets’ prospect pool continues to mature, there is a utility spot on the line in spring training. Brett Baty, Luisangel Aciña and Ronny Mauricio duke it out in Port St. Lucie, with Baty emerging with another strong spring and a proven versatility.
7. Mets’ Spring Breakout winner
As the Mets’ top prospects duel with the top of the Nationals’ farm system in the second annual Spring Breakout game, Ryan Clifford makes the biggest splash for the Mets with a two-run home run in the early innings.
8. Back in the NY groove
After a rash of injuries has hampered the Mets’ Opening Day pitching plans in the last three seasons, Sean Manaea makes it through unscathed and delivers a quality start in a season-opening win over the Astros in Houston.
9. Mets vs. Luis Severino
In their first trip to Sacramento in the second week of April, Juan Soto makes his first big splash with five RBI in a series win. But the Mets drop one game as former teammate Luis Severino allows one earned run across seven innings.
10. Shaking the April blues
Despite being plagued by semi-annual struggles in the opening month, Francisco Lindor storms out of the gate and bats .325 in the opening month while scoring 20 runs. The Mets follow suit by going 18-13 through the first full month.
11. Juan Soto hears boo-birds in the Bronx
Juan Soto hears the most vitriol of his career as he enters Yankee Stadium for the first time for the crosstown rivals. He struggles, mustering one hit in 12 at-bats and the Mets drop two out of three.
12. Revenge vs. Dodgers?
After falling to the Dodgers in the NLCS, the Mets slip up in two out of three games in their first chance at revenge. Blake Snell outduels Frankie Montas in the rubber game as Shohei Ohtani homers twice.
13. June jolt over Braves, Phillies
The Mets show off their new identity as a major threat in the NL East by taking five out of seven games from the Braves and two out of three from the Phillies across a critical 10-game stretch in late June. Francisco Alvarez highlights the stretch with three home runs and eight RBI. The Mets end the month at seven games over .500 and two games up in the division.
14. Sliding into the All-Star Break
After a strong month of June, the Mets’ starting rotation hits the skids in early July as Clay Holmes drops games against his former team and the Royals. The Mets fall a game back of the Phillies at the All-Star break.
15. Mark Vientos takes a swing at HR Derby
After mentioning his desire to participate in the Home Run Derby during the 2024 season, Vientos gets his wish after belting 17 home runs before the break. He takes down Gunnar Henderson in round one before falling to hometown favorite Matt Olson.
16. Mets’ All-Star debuts
In addition to Vientos earning a reserve role, Brandon Nimmo earns his first nod after a near-miss in 2024. The Mets have three more All-Stars with Lindor and Soto earning starts, and Edwin Diaz coming out of the bullpen.
17. Big arm at MLB trade deadline
As attrition sets in on the Mets’ rotation and Paul Blackburn occupying one of the last spots, the Mets front office makes a major move, acquiring Luis Castillo from the Mariners and giving away Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell in the package.
18. Juan Soto’s San Diego fireworks
In Soto’s return to face the Padres at Petco Park, the outfielder provides a big spark with a series-clinching ninth-inning home run that sets up Diaz for his 20th save of the season.
19. Francisco Lindor’s Little League Classic
In the midst of a seven-game win streak, Lindor highlights a victory over the Mariners in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, going 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, finishing a double shy of the cycle.
20. Meet the Mets’ rookie in the rotation
The Mets enter the final month of the season with a three-game lead over the Phillies. They call up Brandon Sproat for his first action, and the rookie strikes out eight across five innings in a debut win over the Reds.
21. Jacob deGrom’s return to Citi Field
After an elbow injury cost Jacob deGrom nearly two seasons, the former Mets ace returns to Citi Field to a hero’s welcome and shows shades of the past with 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings.
22. Mets are playoff bound again
The Mets clinch a playoff spot during their final home series of the season against the Nationals as Alonso tags his 40th home run of the season. They enter their final series of the season needing one win over the Marlins and secure it, finishing 95-67. Juan Soto finishes the season with 35 home runs and a career-high 112 RBI.
23. Return trip to NLCS
After securing a first-round bye, the Mets meet the Padres in the NLDS and ride a clutch Game 5 performance by Alvarez, who drives in three, to lead the team into the National League Championship Series.
24. Deja vu with Dodgers
The Mets’ starting rotation runs out of steam once again as the Dodgers blitz them for 10 runs in a series-clinching Game 6 win at Dodger Stadium.
25. How much for Kyle Tucker?
As the MLB Winter Meetings come into focus, the Mets set their sights on Kyle Tucker, offering him $400 million to switch leagues and jump into the heart of the Mets’ lineup.
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