5 questions for Mets' David Stearns to answer at GM Meetings

MLB front office executives, including Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, will converge on San Antonio this week for the annual GM Meetings.

The meetings, which are a less hectic precursor to the craziness that often happens at the Winter Meetings (which will take place from Dec. 9-12), are where teams ordinarily start laying the groundwork for offseason moves.

Here are five questions for Stearns to answer...

The payroll question

When asked at his end-of-season news conference whether the Mets -- who have lots of money coming off the payroll and are set up very well in 2025 and beyond -- would attempt to get under the first luxury tax threshold of $241 million this offseason, Stearns seemed kind of bemused.

As things currently stand, after factoring in raises for players the Mets will likely offer arbitration and zero-to-three players who will be getting raises, New York has roughly $170 million committed to the payroll for 2025.

So while a world exists where they allocate only $70 million or so this offseason to total salary that will be owed next season -- allowing them to avoid the luxury tax -- it's hard to envision it. Not with the possibility that a successful Juan Soto pursuit could add nearly $50 million for 2025 to the payroll by itself.

Stearns is not going to telegraph what the Mets' sweet spot payroll expectation for next season is, but it's worth asking again just how much he (and owner Steve Cohen) care about continuing to exceed the luxury tax for now.

Having the answer to that, or at least a bit of an inkling into their thinking, could shed light on just how many splashes the Mets might make this offseason.

How high is the rotation on the priority list?

With Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana all set for free agency -- and with Christian Scott expected to miss the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery -- the Mets' rotation will likely look a lot different next year.

But the situation is not as dire as it was entering last offseason, when the Mets inked Manaea and Severino, and traded for Adrian Houser.

That's because the depth is better.

Kodai Senga and David Peterson are the only starting pitchers penciled into the 2025 rotation right now, but the other options could include Paul Blackburn (if the Mets offer him arbitration), Tylor Megill, and Jose Butto. The Mets also have a wave of prospects coming, including Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean, and Blade Tidwell -- who could all debut in 2025.

So perhaps the Mets need to add only two new five-man rotation members this offseason instead of the three they added last offseason. In addition to potential reunions with their own free agents, a bunch of intriguing options will be on the free agent market, including Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell, and Walker Buehler -- the latter of whom could possibly be snagged on a one-year, prove-it deal.

Has there been any contact with Pete Alonso?

Before entering the media room for his end-of-season news conference following the Mets' NLCS loss to the Dodgers, Stearns spoke to Alonso in passing in the ballpark, with Alonso playfully wishing Stearns luck before he answered lots of questions about the first baseman's free agency.

And when Stearns spoke about Alonso's uncertain Mets future, he reiterated that the organization wants him back.

"He's a great Met," Stearns said. "I hope we have him back. I think we both understand this is a process, and everyone's got their own interest. And Pete deserves to go out into the free agent market and see what's out there, and then ultimately make the best choice for him and his family."

While Alonso's free agency could drag out, it's worth asking Stearns if there has been any official contact since the World Series ended.

What is the plan for the bullpen?

Lots of the focus will be on rebuilding the rotation, but the Mets also have some uncertainty when it comes to the bullpen.

Ryne Stanek, who was a key late inning option in the postseason, is a free agent. Additionally, Adam Ottavino is a free agent and seems unlikely to return, given the Mets' lack of reliance on him during their postseason run. Also free agents are Drew Smith and Brooks Raley, who are both recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Mets have also reportedly declined Phil Maton's $7.5 million option for 2025, and still must decide whether to offer arbitration to Sean Reid-Foley and/or Alex Young.

The locks for the 2025 bullpen at this point are likely Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett, and Dedniel Núñez. But everything else could be up in the air.

Stearns could approach the bullpen the same way he did last offseason, adding tons of depth and waiting out the market a bit, or he could pounce on one of the top free agent relievers -- a group that includes Tanner Scott and Jeff Hoffman.

Are Mets open to reunions with Jesse Winker and Jose Iglesias?

The Mets' outfield situation is an interesting one.

Brandon Nimmo will be a starter in 2025 and Tyrone Taylor will be a center field option, but not much else is in ink. Starling Marte has one more year on his contract, but could be a trade candidate. And there's the possibility that Drew Gilbert, Jett Williams, or both of them are ready to contribute during the first half of the season -- but it's hard to see either of them being on the team on Opening Day.

The above makes a reunion with Winker sensible if all it takes is a one-year deal.

As far as Iglesias, bringing him back makes all the sense in the world. And it's not just for the vibes.

Iglesias changed his offensive approach before last season, and the results were there. It's obviously unfair to expect him to replicate that, but his mix of solid offense and strong defense makes him an ideal fit as the team's backup middle infielder.