The New York Mets have made their decision regarding the future of their eight-year veteran reliever with the franchise moving forward. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets have declined righty Phil Maton’s $7.75 million team option for the 2025 MLB season.
The Mets will let Phil Maton go after a strong regular season
The decision officially makes the 31-year-old a free agent. Maton aided the Mets’ run to the 2024 National League Championship Series last season, providing the ball club with a clean 2.51 ERA and 0.837 WHIP along with 30 strikeouts and one save in the regular season after getting traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to New York on July 9.
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Maton’s lackluster postseason play likely factored in the Mets’ decision
The Kentucky native was not as effective in the postseason though, as he conceded six earned runs in as many games played across 5.4 innings pitched, going 0-1 throughout the playoffs. Thus, the Mets found it suitable to allow him to hit the open market this offseason.
New York will retain the $250,000 from his buyout on their books for next year as they look to cater their financial situation around making an all-out push for New York Yankees superstar slugger Juan Soto this offseason. They’ll also seek out a replacement option to man late-inning duties in Maton’s stead.
