Three Reasons Why the Mets May Be Just Getting Started: “We Raised the Bar”

The magic is exhausted, but the movement has only just begun.

It's different for the New York Mets to say the season didn't end in total collapse, as players and staff alike were proud of what they accomplished in 175 games – and that the fan base was there with them and believed it.

Finally, in 2024, the Mets made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, defeating the Braves, Brewers and Phillies along the way. They took the superteam Dodgers to Game 6 of the National League Championship Series even though the forecasting systems gave them a 5 percent chance of winning the NLDS, let alone coming within two wins of the World Series.

After their unexpected and iconic season finally came to an end on Sunday night in Los Angeles, there were still a handful of legitimate reasons for the Mets to be optimistic and hopeful about the future. Let's take a moment to examine how this season's heroics have made the Mets perennial contenders who must reach a new benchmark of success each year.

1. Mark Vientos is a “real big leaguer”

That's how first baseman Pete Alonso described the 24-year-old Vientos, who was cut from the Opening Day roster and earned the starting third base spot by mid-May. After finally making it to the majors this year, Vientos never let his OPS drop below .837 in 111 regular season games. He had solid defense at a difficult position where he had only played 21 MLB games before this year. Then he raised his own level this October by hitting five home runs, collecting 24 RBIs, batting .327 and posting a .998 OPS in 13 playoff games.

“When I talk about some of our younger players and the way they are developing, he is at the top,” manager Carlos Mendoz told reporters at Vientos in Los Angeles on Sunday. “It wasn't easy for him. He had to fight for a chance. He finally got it and used it. And if you look at the numbers in the regular season, he's a big part, a big reason why we got to this point and then the playoffs.

Still a few years away from making his MLB debut in September 2022, Vientos exceeded expectations with his consistency this year. The Plantation, Florida product showed the kind of makeup and showed the kind of performance a front office can build. Whether the powers that be will decide whether Vientos' future lies at third base largely depends on whether the Mets can complete a deal with Alonso, who is immediately approaching free agency.

But regardless of Vientos' infield position, the Mets shouldn't hesitate to move on from their division rival in Atlanta and sign him long-term. Over the course of a season, Vientos' outlook changed from “let's see what he can offer” to real excitement for the foreseeable future.

2. Money – a lot of money – comes off the books and the farm thrives

Last winter, the Mets signed Sean Manaea and Luis Serverino to one-year deals, both of whom became integral parts of their successful playoff run. Now, new York is in a good position where both starters would be happy to return, and in Corbin Burnes there's an intriguing top free agent arm to consider adding to the rotation. Pitchers on the books for 2025 include: Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and Jose Butto.

Additionally, the Mets will have more financial flexibility with a ton of money coming off the books. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were collectively owed over $57 million in 2024, and that won't be the case next year. The Mets finished this season with an estimated payroll of $336 million, and according to FanGraphs, that number is expected to be reduced to about $170 million by next month's free agency.

However, the organization's long-term goal has always been to build a sustainable contender through critical free agent pickups and farm system development. This year, thanks to Luisangel Acuña's encouraging MLB debut and Vientos' remarkable rise, we saw some of that vision come to fruition. Next year, New York's top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat is expected to be in the mix as a possible rotation addition, as are possible roster upgrades with top infielders Ronny Mauricio and Jett Williams and top outfield candidate Drew Gilbert.

As Francisco Lindor said Sunday, “Something special is happening here.”

This year's roster gave a taste of how far the organization can go when combining core veterans (Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Starling Marte) with up-and-coming young players (Francisco Alvarez, Vientos and Acuńa). This concept should be back in play for these Mets for years to come.

3. The new regime is synchronous

The trio of owner Steve Cohen, new president of baseball operations David Stearns and first-year manager Mendoza provided an excellent, stable foundation for the organization to continue building. Cohen became more involved in everyday life and became more visible and accessible to his staff and players. Stearns did what he does best: he filled out the Mets' roster with smart moves on the sidelines and set up the runway that allowed the team to get two wins shy of the World Series. Mendoza's calm and poised demeanor, especially in times of deep adversity and ultimate highs, created a sense of fearlessness in the clubhouse.

In the end it all led to respect. The Mets have become a normal organization this season – a place that free agent players would like to play for – perhaps Juan Soto? – especially those who have something to prove; a family that not only minds a little fun, but also indulges in the eccentricities that allow people to be themselves and push their efforts to the utmost limit; And a team that won't stay in the basement, but will fight its way out, because the benchmark is a championship.

There is legitimate trust and complete buy-in from players and staff operating under Cohen, Stearns and Mendoza. These three executives have not only demonstrated credibility that the Mets' success can be sustained, but they will ensure it. The Mets have reached the postseason in consecutive years only twice (1999-2000, 2015-2016) in franchise history. The new rule has made it possible, perhaps for the first time ever, to consider that the Mets can commit to doing what they did this year on an annual basis.

“I was just telling the guys how proud I am because not only have we become a really good team, we have become a family,” Mendoza said. “And now we have raised the bar. We should aim for today's expectations every year, namely playing well into October. And we showed that this year.”

Deesha Thosar is an MLB reporter for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. Deesha, the daughter of Indian immigrants, grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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