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Key dates & storylines as Mets approach offseason
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- Key dates & storylines as Mets approach offseason
When the World Series concludes, the Mets can start to get a move on in their offseason.
In what is expected to be a turbulent winter, the Mets don't have an immense amount of business to take care of before the expected lockout on Dec. 1. They traded away the veterans who were on expiring contracts at the deadline over the summer and installed a manager, Andy Green , before the end of the regular season. The club is looking to make some minor changes to the coaching staff after firing hitting coach Jeff Albert, and in the front office, where the team is seeking a farm director to replace Green.
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Here are key dates and storylines to watch for as the offseason approaches.
DAY AFTER THE WORLD SERIES: FREE AGENCY
After the commissioner's trophy is awarded, a five-day "quiet period" begins where pending free agents can negotiate with their current teams. Bo Bichette is the only potential free agent for the Mets. The third baseman has a player option for 2027 and one for 2028, and will have five days from the conclusion of the World Series to make a decision.
Late in the season, Bichette sounded as though he was leaning toward staying in Queens, but nothing is final.
It was an uncharacteristic season for the infielder. He played third base for the first time, though he was moved back to his natural shortstop position for a few months while Francisco Lindor was on the injured list. He hit just .260, though he matched his 2025 home run total with 18.
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Bichette, 28, often lamented his inability to come through for the team in the first half, saying if he had, the Mets might have been in a better position. A good teammate with a strong work ethic, the Mets want him back. With the lockout looming, it might benefit him to take the option for next season instead of trying to feel out free agency for the second year in a row.
Free agents can negotiate with other teams after the quiet period ends. The biggest name on the market is Los Angeles Dodgers ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Mets, in need of starting pitching, should do what they can to sign the lefty.
NOV. 10-12: GENERAL MANAGER MEETINGS
The GM Meetings used to be a quiet affair. Rule changes were discussed at resorts around various Southwestern cities. It's where executives used to lay the framework for roster building, discussing things in broad terms and doing initial check-ins on items they would later circle back to at the Winter Meetings.
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That isn't the case this season. The meetings have moved to Las Vegas for the foreseeable future, a city that is anything but quiet, and they now precede the MLB Awards Show, a full-blown red-carpet affair. The Winter Meetings will be canceled if the league locks out the players, so teams are expected to meet with players in Las Vegas instead of waiting until December.
NOV. 17: DEADLINE TO ACCEPT QUALIFYING OFFERS
Eligible players have until 4 p.m. ET to accept or reject the qualifying offer.
NOV. 20: NON-TENDER DEADLINE
The final date for teams to offer a contract to all arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players on their 40-man roster for next season; this is where the Mets have some tough decisions to make. Their list of arbitration-eligible players is long: Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio, Tylor Megill, Reed Garrett, Robert Stock and Austin Warren.
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Vientos, Baty, Alvarez and Mauricio were once top prospects in the Mets' system, but they aren't prospects anymore.
Alvarez, a power-hitting catcher, was primarily the Mets' full-time catcher until this season, when his defense was so poor the team had to use Luis Torrens as the main backstop. Injuries are also a concern for Alvarez, who has spent significant time on the injured list in each of the last three seasons. But he's a well-liked, well-respected catcher, and it's tough to let someone with his power go.
Though it's clear the pop is still there, Vientos doesn't have a full-time position, and he's struggled as a platoon hitter over the last two seasons. The Mets converted Baty, a third baseman, to a super utility role this season, using him at first base and in the outfield in addition to second and third base. Though his outfield defense was particularly lacking, the Mets were happy with how he approached the season and the professionalism he showed in embracing a new challenge.
It's tough to know what to do with Mauricio. The time he lost from his knee injury clearly stunted his development; he's struggled to hit breaking balls at the big-league level, and he's out of minor league options. But the switch-hitter can seriously impact the baseball and play multiple infield positions. Veteran infielders Lindor and Marcus Semien both spent time on the IL last season, and they aren't getting any younger, so keeping him around next season might be beneficial.
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DEC. 1: EXPIRATION OF THE CBA
For the second time in five years, the 30 club owners are expected to lock out their players. All activity involving players on 40-man rosters will halt. Players and teams cannot communicate until a new CBA is agreed upon and ratified.
