The NY Mets face a July 28 deadline to sign their 2025 draft class. Can they lock down top talent with one of MLB's smallest bonus pools? The clock is ticking.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While the Citi Field lights were dark on Thursday, the pressure was dialed up to eleven in the Mets' front office. With no game to distract, the stark reality of the upcoming MLB draft signing deadline has taken center stage. The Mets are in a race against time to lock down their 2025 draft class, a task made significantly more challenging by one of the smallest bonus pools in baseball.
With a total bonus pool of just $5,465,900—the second smallest in MLB—every negotiation is critical.
As of July 17th, not a single one of the Mets' 19 selections from the 2025 draft has been officially signed. The clock is ticking towards the 5 PM Eastern deadline on July 28. The team's financial flexibility is severely hampered this year, a direct consequence of competitive balance tax penalties which left them with only two picks in the first 105 selections. This puts immense pressure on the scouting department and front office to make their limited pool count. Fans are hoping for a repeat of last year's success, where top picks like Carson Benge and Nate Dohm have already started to impress in the farm system, but first, the deals need to get done.
On the field, the Mets enjoyed a scheduled off-day, a chance for the players to rest and recharge before their next series. These mid-July breathers are crucial for a team navigating the long grind of a 162-game season. While fans missed the action, the break allows the bullpen to reset and the lineup to heal any minor bumps and bruises ahead of what promises to be a competitive stretch run.
The next week will be telling for the Mets organization on two different fronts. While the big-league club gets back to the business of winning games, the front office faces a critical deadline that will shape the future of the farm system. Will they be able to secure their key draft targets with limited resources? The answers will come soon, both on the diamond and at the negotiating table.
