Breaking: 3 Mets who won’t be back after Sean Manaea agrees to re-sign

Three Mets Players Likely Departing After Sean Manaea’s Re-Signing

Re-signing Sean Manaea was a critical move for the Mets, solidifying their rotation for 2024. While he isn’t Juan Soto, Manaea’s three-year deal marks a pivotal offseason win for the team. He transformed from a one-year gamble into a cornerstone of New York’s rotation, making his return a significant boost to the Mets’ 2024 hopes. However, his re-signing signals the end of the road for several current players as the Mets continue to reshape their roster.

Here are three Mets players unlikely to return in 2025:

3. J.D. Martinez

J.D. Martinez initially seemed poised for a longer tenure with the Mets after a strong first half in the designated hitter role. However, his offensive performance dipped significantly in the latter part of the season, slashing just .202/.284/.346 with six home runs and 30 RBIs in the second half. By October, Martinez had lost his DH role to Jesse Winker and contributed little in the postseason, failing to record an extra-base hit.

The Mets will likely seek a younger, more reliable DH option, leaving Martinez’s days with the team behind. At 37, his decline suggests his best years are in the past.

2. Harrison Bader

Harrison Bader’s struggles mirrored Martinez’s, as his early-season offensive contributions vanished in the second half. Bader hit a meager .167/.230/.283 with four home runs and 15 RBIs after the All-Star break, losing his starting role in center field to Tyrone Taylor during the postseason.

The acquisition of Jose Siri, a younger, more powerful version of Bader, solidified the outfielder’s replacement. While Bader’s defensive skills and base-running remain valuable, the Mets appear to have moved on, with both Taylor and Siri under team control for the foreseeable future.

1. José Quintana

José Quintana’s late-season and postseason performances were commendable, with a stellar 0.74 ERA over his final six regular-season starts and two dominant postseason outings. However, despite his reliability, the Mets’ rotation overhaul leaves little room for the 35-year-old.

With Manaea rejoining a staff that includes Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Frankie Montas, and Clay Holmes, along with depth options like Paul Blackburn and Tylor Megill, the Mets seem unlikely to retain Quintana. His contributions will be remembered, but the team’s current rotation depth suggests he has likely pitched his last game in New York.

The Mets’ offseason strategy is clear: bolster the roster to contend while making tough decisions to let go of players whose roles have diminished. While these departures are difficult, the team’s aggressive moves signal their commitment to building a stronger 2025 roster.