Three questions for New York Mets after MLB playoffs exit

This is not how it was supposed to end. Not when the New York Mets were 35-17 on June 1 with 10½-game lead in the National League East and Jacob deGrom hadn't even pitched yet. Look, the Mets won 101 games, the first time they've won 100 since 1988. They became the ninth team to win 101 games and finish first. It was a great regular season. But a first-round exit in the wild-card series? Not even getting the chance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, let alone their division rivals in Atlanta? An absolutely crushing, bitter conclusion that will leave a bad taste all winter for Mets fans.

And now? There is no guarantee the Mets will have this kind of success in 2023. The list of free agents who might depart is long. They might have to rebuild the entire bullpen and a good chunk of the starting rotation. The owner has deep pockets and is willing to spend — and he might have to take the Mets' payroll to a record-setting level — but it's going to be a busy, complicated offseason for the front office.

Notable free agents: SPJacob deGrom (opt-out), SP Chris Bassitt ($19 million mutual option), SP Carlos Carrasco ($14 million club option), SP Taijuan Walker ($7 player option), RP Edwin Diaz, OF Brandon Nimmo, RP Adam Ottavino, RP Seth Lugo, RP Trevor May, RP Trevor Williams, OF Tyler Naquin

Yes, Steve Cohen's wallet is going to get a major workout. DeGrom has two years and $63 million left on his contract, but he has already made it known he's going to exercise his opt-out clause. Bassitt had a strong season, and this will be his one golden opportunity to enter free agency in his prime. Walker will get much more than $7 million in free agency. That means the Mets will almost have to pick up Carrasco's option, if only to give them