The Mets want a bat and manifestly so.
The workforce boasted a really stable lineup in 2022. The Amazins’ had the sixth-best OPS in baseball and the second-highest OPS. They put the ball in play and made good contact. But that stable lineup seemed far lower than stable within the postseason. It was too station-to-station and the absence of 1 participant — outfielder Starling Marte — had a ripple impact.
One participant can’t break the offense. The Mets want extra energy. They hit solely 171 residence runs, which was proper in the midst of the league ranked fifteenth.
The membership may additionally be in want of one other outfielder if they’re unable to re-sign Brandon Nimmo. The homegrown heart fielder is a free agent and whereas the Mets prolonged the qualifying supply of $19.65 million to Nimmo on Thursday, he’ll nearly assuredly reject it. He’s been with the Mets since they drafted him with the thirteenth decide within the 2011 draft out of East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and has expressed a want to return to Queens citing his shut ties with the group, however for now, he stays free to barter with different groups.
There is, in fact, a really prolific bat on the opposite facet of city and he may substitute Nimmo. But as beforehand reported in The News, the Mets is not going to be making a push to signal Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Owner Steven Cohen is not going to be poaching gamers from Hal Steinbrenner. Could he change his thoughts? Maybe, nevertheless it doesn’t seem as if he has any intention to take action this winter.
The Mets shall be returning a lot of the lineup subsequent season. They picked up the choice on Daniel Vogelbach’s contract and far of their offensive core, like Marte, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor and Eduardo Escobar are underneath contract by subsequent season.
But if proprietor Steve Cohen nonetheless needs to win now then he’ll want his front-office executives to exit and get a bat. Waiting on Brett Baty and Mark Vientos isn’t ok.
So with free company formally open let’s check out some potential place participant targets.
THE HEADLINERS
2B/SS/CF Trea Turner, LF Andrew Benintendi, 1B Josh Bell
The shortstop class is totally loaded this 12 months, however the Mets are fairly set there with Lindor so it doesn’t make sense to go after a participant like Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson. However, Turner performs a number of positions so he may be an exception. The 29-year-old Turner does nearly every thing, between his energy, baserunning prowess and protection at a number of positions. The Mets may substitute Nimmo with Turner in heart subject or use McNeil in heart and Turner at shortstop. He additionally hits left-handed pitching higher than he hits right-handed pitching and the Mets struggled in opposition to left-handers final season.
Benintendi was briefly a Yankee however he was unable to play within the postseason with a damaged hamate bone. He’s an above-average outfielder with contact expertise and he controls the strike zone nicely, that are two qualities the Mets worth. He’s additionally solely 28.
The Mets had been linked to Josh Bell earlier than he was traded from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres over the summer time after they had been searching for a DH who may hit left-handed pitching. The worth was excessive and so they ended up buying Darin Ruf as an alternative, however now that the slugger is a free agent he may be value one other look. He has a profession OPS of .810 and he’s in all probability good for about 20 residence runs a 12 months.
THE WILD CARDS
2B Jean Segura, OF Mitch Haniger, UT Jurickson Profar
It certain was an journey watching Segura within the postseason. You by no means knew whether or not he was going to single-handedly finish the Phillies’ run or lengthen it. If the Mets are available in the market for a center infielder then Segua may very well be an intriguing addition.
Haniger has at all times produced when wholesome however the issue is that he hasn’t at all times been capable of keep wholesome. Last season, he was restricted to simply 57 video games whereas coping with a high-ankle sprain. He’s principally performed proper subject however he’s performed heart is an effective DH possibility in opposition to lefties as nicely.
Profar declined his $7.5 million participant possibility earlier this week and can search stability in a multi-year deal. The 29-year-old Curacao native is coming off a profession 12 months offensively and may play a number of positions.
THE FAMILIAR FACES
OF Michael Conforto, INF Brandon Drury, 3B Justin Turner
Last 12 months, Conforto rejected the Mets’ $18.4 million qualifying supply after which missed your complete 2021 season with a shoulder harm. The worth of the 29-year-old Seattle native has completely plummeted, so a one-year prove-it contract may very well be doable. Conforto has a profession OPS of .824 with the Mets and averaged 28 residence runs per season. He was at all times well liked by these within the group and within the clubhouse. It’s a terrific touchdown spot for a participant who has to indicate that he nonetheless has one thing within the tank.
Drury hung out with the Mets in 2021 then went to Cincinnati and San Diego and had an enormous season. He hit a career-high 28 residence runs final 12 months and was valued as a 3.0 fWAR participant.
The Mets don’t want a 3rd baseman however Justin Turner’s title comes up each time he has to barter a contract with the Dodgers. The 37-year-old Roberto Clemente Award winner may very well be used as a DH however would he settle for a lesser function?
THE PLATOON OPTION
OF Adam Duvall
The 34-year-old Duvall is a stable right-handed platoon possibility. He’s a streaky participant and his final season ended with a wrist harm, which implies he may very well be keen to take a deal of a 12 months or two to show that he can get wholesome.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com