The 2024 New York Mets were an enigma. Starting at 0-5, it looked like this was going to be the longest of long years. One could have easily surmised that they would give the 2024 Chicago White Sox a run for their money. Yes, those White Sox that lost a record 121 games (breaking the record of 120 losses set by the 1962, you guessed it, New York Mets). Then, everything changed.
The wins began to trickle in, as they usually do. However, this year became different. They were David Stearns’ Mets. They were Carlos Mendoza’s Mets. Importantly, they were Francisco Lindor’s Mets. Starting with a team meeting called by Captain (in practice, not in name) Lindor, the New York Mets righted the ship. That ship gave the team, and its fans, a ride that they will never forget. The players loved playing the game, and the fans loved watching it. Baseball was fun again for the New York Mets.
The 2024 New York Mets season ended in defeat on the field at the end of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite that, 2024 will be a season that lives on forever in the history of the Mets. Here is a quick rundown of the biggest drivers of the season, and some grades.
Front Office: A
David Stearns came onto the scene with a great resume of success from his time in Milwaukee with the Brewers. As the President of Baseball Operations, the buck stops with Stearns (unless owner Steve Cohen disagrees…). Stearns drove a cultural change within the organization that will permeate the ways of working into the future.
Gone from the team are some of the big name stars of last year. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were replaced by the likes of Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. Importantly, Stearns was able to strategically add to the team around the trade deadline. Jesse Winker was a perfect fit for the clubhouse, and provided pop at the plate in the playoffs. Phil Maton, Huascar Brazoban and Ryne Stanek helped fortify the bullpen for the stretch run.
One of the most critical moves that Stearns made was to bring in manager Carlos Mendoza.
Manager: A
Carlos Mendoza came to the Mets after serving as the bench coach of the cross-town rival New York Yankees. Replacing the seasoned Buck Showalter with a rookie manager in Mendoza was a risky move by Cohen and Stearns. The move came up Aces.
From the very beginning, in Spring Training, Mendoza made his presence felt. The clubhouse was more relaxed than in the past, and the team seemed to be having more fun. It helped build the family atmosphere that the players talked about right until the end of the season, and brought some of the players to tears when the season ended.
In his postgame comments after the end of the Dodgers series, Mendoza talked a lot about the ability of the team to overcome adversity. They would not have been able to do that without the steady guidance of Mendoza. He deserves consideration, at a minimum, for Manager of the Year.
Starting Pitching: B
The starting staff was the epitome of overcoming adversity. Ace Kodai Senga was lost to injury before the season even started. Losing the likes of Verlander and Scherzer makes the hill tougher to climb. However, the new additions worked out very well.
Manaea was force as a lefty starter, and became one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the league (last start against the Dodgers notwithstanding). Severino reestablished himself as a durable starter that endeared himself to Mets fans. Jose Quintana was the reliable veteran that was expected. The resurgence of David Peterson was a sight for sore eyes as well. The trade deadline acquisition of Paul Blackburn was a good strategic move, though he was lost to injury.
Bullpen: C-
The bullpen started the season with a huge upgrade in the form of the return of Edwin Diaz. The ‘pen was also one of the first groups to show the turnaround that would become emblematic of the 2024 New York Mets. Relief (no pun intended) came from unexpected places.
The likes of Reed Garrett and Jose Butto excelled at different points of the season out of the bullpen. Garrett was not expected to be a huge contributor to this team. However, he was the league’s best reliever for a point. Butto was an anticipated starter. However, he moved to the bullpen to have a chance at the major league roster. It worked out well for both the team and him.
Catcher: C
The catchers on the roster were steadying forces for the team this season. Francisco Alvarez entered the season with sky high expectations. Throughout the season, he proved himself to be a valuable leader in the clubhouse, as well as a solid manager of the pitching staff. His offense did not keep up.
One of the best transactions of the year for Stearns was bringing in Luis Torrens. He provided stability to the position when Alvarez was injured. This included working well with the pitchers, as well as some unexpected pop at the plate.
Infield: B+
The overall grade for this group includes some wild swings across the diamond.
At first base, Pete Alonso played every game this season, in a contract year. He gambled on himself, and it will be interesting to see if that bet pays off. In the regular season he delivered 34 home runs and 88 RBIs. However, they were very quiet home runs. That all changed in the playoffs, as Alonso put himself in Mets lore with one swing in Milwaukee that helped the team advance.
Jose Iglesias was one of the stars of the team. He brought veteran leadership and drove a lot of the cultural transformation. He also hit well, and brought a solid glove. Not many others can brag of performing a hit single of his after one of his team’s games. His OMG single became a rallying cry for the team and its fans.
Not much more can be said about the importance of Francisco Lindor this season. After starting (very) slow in 2024, he turned it around and is now in the MVP conversation. While he may not win it, he is by far the most valuable Met this season. Despite missing some games due to injury, he delivered at the plate, in the field, and in the clubhouse.
At third base, Brett Baty started the year at the hot corner. It did not go well, and he was demoted to AAA. On the flipside, Mark Vientos started the year in the minors and was called up to take Baty’s spot. He didn’t let it go. Vientos showed the propensity to be a power hitter, including in the clutch. Vientos could be a potential replacement for Alonso at first base if he leaves.
Outfield: C
The Mets outfield was a very dynamic group in 2024. Luckily, many of the outfielders could play multiple positions.
Brandon Nimmo performed very well at times, and struggled at other times. His 2024 was very much a mixed bag. After moving from center field to left field this season, Nimmo was in contention for an All-Star spot. However, he had to endure through some prolonged slumps throughout the year.
In center field, Harrison Bader brought a veteran presence. He played in 143 games and had 12 home runs. Bader brought very strong defense to the outfield. Nimmo was able to spell him a bit, given his experience in center.
Starling Marte was another solid contributor that was returning from injury this season. He came up clutch during the playoffs as well. During the regular season he appeared in only 94 games.
Spelling the injured players throughout the year was Tyrone Taylor. Another quality depth signing by Stearns, Taylor was solid across the outfield. Winker was another key piece in the outfield after coming over from the Washington Nationals via trade.
All Other: A+
The Mets and their fans had a lot to enjoy to get through the long baseball season.
Grimace tossed out the first pitch before a game earlier in the season. This prompted a major winning streak for the Mets. There is now a purple seat in the stands in his honor, and a billboard in Times Square showing Grimace in a Mets hat.
Already mentioned above was the importance of Iglesias. His OMG song helped unite the team and connect it with its fans. Many fans purchased OMG shirts. Severino was in charge of the OMG sign in the dugout, that players posed with after positive plays.
Some other occurrences this season included the unveiling of the Mets City Connect jerseys, and a trip to London to play the Phillies. To say the New York Mets 2024 season was successful and fun would be understatements.
Photo Credit; ABC News, Reddit, New York Post, Amazin’ Avenue, Sports Illustrated
***Have you tried Dubby?? Are you looking for a Pre-Workout??
our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 
Leave a comment