"Face of the franchise" is a subjective title, to be sure. I would say, though, that in 2024, the three most prominent "faces" were Alonso and Lindor and Nimmo, not necessarily in that order.
Well, Soto was traded by the Nationals and the Padres because neither team thought they'd be able to sign him to a long-term contract, and they wanted to get something more than a draft pick in return. I think Pete will be back because he's probably worth more to the Mets than to anyone else, and the Mets can also afford more than anyone else. I think he'll be a productive player for at least another five years although his best days are likely behind him.
Yeah, this. Cohen is obviously in spending mode, and he's not likely to be under the luxury threshold any time in the next decade or more. I'm slightly on the optimistic side that Pete will be back.
I think he'll be one of those players, like Snell and Montgomery and Martinez this year, who remain unsigned until March. And by then the Mets will have moved on. That's my prediction, not my desire. I want him to stay with the Mets and be the player he was just a couple of years ago.
I think Spotrac, whoever that is, is way off, unless perhaps those numbers were calculated prior to the 2024 season. I would be very surprised if he got anything close to that.