The New York Mets’ lineup next season could look significantly different from how it appeared in 2024.
The most notable potential change revolves around Pete Alonso, who will be an unrestricted free agent and is expected to attract interest from various teams. However, a departure that seems more certain than Alonso’s is that of J.D. Martinez.
Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets last offseason but had his worst offensive season (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign) since 2013. Given his decline, it seems likely that the Mets will allow him to depart and look for a new designated hitter this offseason. An article from Bleacher Report’s Brandon Scott on October 20 highlighted an intriguing potential replacement.
“[The Mets] could take big swings at Brent Rooker or opt for a more budget-friendly option with Taylor Ward, Yandy Diaz, or Mike Yastrzemski,” Scott wrote.
Rooker is an appealing trade candidate for the Mets. The slugger and 2023 MLB All-Star for the Oakland Athletics posted impressive stats in 2024, including a .292 average, .927 OPS, 39 home runs, and 112 RBIs.
While Rooker has been the best player for the Athletics over the past two seasons, the franchise’s struggles may lead them to consider trading him in exchange for attractive prospects. Scott later predicted, “After missing out on the Soto signing, the Mets will likely trade for slugger Brent Rooker from the Athletics… With three more seasons of arbitration, acquiring Rooker would come at a high cost, but it would be worth it if they can’t land Soto.”
Acquiring Rooker this offseason could help mitigate the Mets’ potential loss of Soto and/or Alonso, or his addition to the lineup could provide valuable protection for either superstar, marking a successful offseason for New York.