The 2025 Major League Baseball season is officially over for all 30 teams. And as the Fall Classic is over, it is time for the clubs to reflect on what they did and plan their comeback for the upcoming season to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers had the highest payroll in the league, and they justified every penny their roster deserved by winning their second straight World Series. But what about the team that has the second-highest payroll and did not even qualify for the postseason? Of course, we are talking about the New York Mets.

The Mets created sky-high expectations with their $342 million payroll when they brought in Juan Soto last winter. With the highest ever contract baseball has ever seen, they almost snatched Soto from the cross-town rival, the New York Yankees. And in the middle of the season, things looked great for them when they had the best record in baseball at 45-24, and their rotation was in rhythm. But then came one of the greatest collapses of recent times when the team went 38-55 the rest of the way and missed the playoffs by one game. So, what happens now?

For President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, the answer is a major offseason overhaul. And MLB insider Steve Adams recently reported on this very situation, highlighting two homegrown stars facing a moment of truth.

Let’s start with the 25-year-old Mark Vientos, who had a slash line of .233/.289/.413 after a great 2024 season, where he had a batting line of  .266/.322/.516 with 132 wRC+ and 10 more homers, even with 9 fewer appearances. And the other one is the 23-year-old Luisangel Acuña. The Braves’ star Ronald Acuña Jr.’s younger brother had a batting line of .234/.293/.274 in 193 plate appearances. But the real concern, according to MLBTR’s Adams report, is—”Both Vientos and Acuña are out of minor league options, meaning they need to break camp with the club next year or else be designated for assignment”.

It means they must make the 2026 Opening Day team, and if they do not, the Mets must designate them for assignment (DFA). And this would place them on waivers, where another team can claim them, and the Mets will lose them for nothing.

Plus, Steve reported, “Either Vientos or Acuña could still hold down a bench spot. Acuña’s speed and defensive versatility might make him a valuable utility option. But both are questionable fits who were once lauded prospects and now seem likely to draw interest from younger clubs with more clear-cut opportunity available.” So the question remains about

Who can replace their production when needed?

The first one is Brett Baty. Baty had a breakout season, slashing .291/.353/.477 in 190 second-half plate appearances— and .254/.313/.435 overall. Plus, he posted 3.1 bWAR and played more elite defense at third base than anyone in recent years for the Queens.

And the other one is Ronny Mauricio. He previously struggled, and before tearing his ACL in December 2023, he was competing for the third-base position, a spot Vientos eventually won. But now Mauricio has a key advantage as he still has minor league options. So the Mets can safely send him to Triple-A for more seasoning.

This leaves Vientos and Acuña as the clear option Stearn can decide to let go.

But that is just the beginning. The franchise icon, Pete Alonso, officially opted out of his two-year deal and wants to test free agency once again. Alonso led the National League with 41 doubles and drove in 126 runs. And reports suggest Alonso is seeking a long-term deal of at least seven years. Stearn’s history with the first baseman suggests he is hesitant to pay that kind of price. So, if Alonso walks, it creates a massive power vacuum at first base. Though possible free agent replacements like Josh Naylor, Luis Arraez, and Ryan O’Hearn are possible, but no one can replace the production of Polar Bear.

The departures do not stop with Alonso, as closer Edwin Díaz is also widely expected to decline his player option. This would leave another hole in the ninth inning. Outfielder Cedric Mullins, who struggled after arriving from Baltimore, is an unrestricted free agent. And Veteran Starling Marte will also hit the free agency. So the Mets desperately need a new closer and an everyday outfielder to start 2026.

The 2025 collapse was a harsh lesson, and David Stearns is not hiding from the blame. He took full ownership in his end-of-season press conference. “I’m the architect of the team and I’m responsible for it,” Stearns stated. “I’ve been here now for two years, that’s plenty of time to shape a roster, to meld a roster.”  But what comes next will remain to be seen..