Their words and actions at the MLB trade deadline aside, it’s hard to imagine the New York Mets won’t put a playoff-caliber roster on the field in 2024. And you’d have to think the Mets will be in on Shohei Ohtani, the unquestioned top available free agent.
The Mets are committed to building around youngsters Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty, with a deeper farm system developing the next wave of future stars. They have a solid veteran core in place, too, led by Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Kodai Senga.
Incoming president of baseball operations David Stearns is a smart, judicious decision maker when it comes to player personnel. With his skill set and owner Steve Cohen’s billions, nothing is off the table.
So, with two weeks left in this season, let’s make a way too early projection of the 2024 roster.
Starting Pitchers (5)
Kodai Senga
Jose Quintana
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Tyler Glasnow
Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto or Mike Vasil
Skinny: Yamamoto should be the key to the Mets offseason plans. He’s young (25) and worthy of a long-term, big money contract as the top pitcher in Japan. There’ll be plenty of competition for him, but Cohen shouldn’t be outbid here. A 1-2 combo of Yamamoto and Senga would play nicely. If the Mets take on the final season of Glasnow’s contract, they need not give up a lot for the 30-year-old. He’s been injured often, but Glasnow has been solid over 18 starts this season with the Tampa Bay Rays (9-5, 3.15, 12.1 K/9). They could also explore trading for Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes or Mitch Keller, though each of those pitchers would be more costly in prospects going back the other way. And the Mets should pass on signing an older veteran like Blake Snell. Some pundits suggest trading Quintana, who’s been terrific since coming back from rib surgery midseason. Why create another hole on the roster? They should seek a young controllable pitcher with upside to better fill out the rotation. For now, we’ll go with one of their internal options.
Relief Pitchers (8)
Edwin Diaz
Adam Ottavino
Brooks Raley
David Robertson
Robert Stephenson
Phil Maton
Sean Reid-Foley
Joey Lucchesi or David Peterson
Skinny: Diaz will be back after missing this season with a torn patellar tendon in his knee, which was sustained during Puerto Rico’s victory celebration in the World Baseball Classic in March. His return alone will make a massive difference in the bullpen. Look for the Mets to pick up their team option on Raley and for Ottavino to pick up his player option. Then they should sign Robertson, whom they traded to the Florida Marlins when things went south this season. He was a great fit and seems eager to return. Stephenson and Maton would be quality free agent additions, neither of whom should break the bank. Stephenson has bounced around but has averaged 14.2 k/9 with the Rays this season with a ridiculous 0.67 WHIP. Maton gets lost in the deep Houston Astros bullpen but has been reliable over 61 games with a career-low 1.137 WHIP. These two would be huge upgrades over the likes of Drew Smith, whom the Mets should trade. Either Lucchesi or Peterson could fill a lefty, long-man role if he doesn’t crack the rotation.
DH (1)
J.D. Martinez
Skinny: There are many ways the Mets could go here. They could platoon right-handed hitting Mark Vientos and lefty D.J Stewart, especially because each can also lengthen the roster by playing in the field when needed. Or they could go with someone who’s simply the DH, a move that backfired with Daniel Vogelbach this season. Assuming Ohtani is not coming to New York, Martinez is the next best option, and he’s far better than Vogelbach. Even at 36, Martinez was an All Star with the Dodgers this season and has hit 26 home runs with 86 RBI, a worthy $10 million investment.
Infielders (6)
1B – Pete Alonso
2B – Ronny Mauricio
SS – Francisco Lindor
3B – Brett Baty
UT – Isiah Kiner-Falefa
3B Jeimer Candelerio, 2B – Jonathan India or UT – Luis Guillorme
Skinny: First things first. The Mets must sign Alonso, who can be a free agent after next season, to a contract extension. Outside of him and Lindor, there are plenty of question marks on the infield, in part because of prospect development, as well as the flexibility of Jeff McNeil, who can play infield or outfield. As of today, Mauricio looks ready to be a full-time MLB player. The question is where to play him — second or third base? The complicating factor here is that Baty, another key piece for the future, was a major disappointment this season. So, the Mets need to import some infielders who can compete for playing time but not necessarily impede the development of Mauricio and Baty. Kiner-Falefa would give the Mets a player who can adequately play each infield position and provide outfield depth, as well. Candelerio would add a 20-home run bat, but likely will sign elsewhere for a guaranteed starting role. The Cincinnati Reds are deep on the infield and could consider trading India, the former Rookie of the Year (2021). Mark Vientos seems to be the odd man out.
Outfielders (4)
Brandon Nimmo
Jeff McNeil
Starling Marte
D.J. Stewart
Skinny: The Mets must decide if McNeil is a full-time outfielder and if Marte can recapture his All-Star form after a lost season in 2023. Assuming these two will flank Nimmo, the Mets outfield is set. Stewart might be a good, affordable option as a backup following a terrific second half in 2023. Kiner-Falefa can also play outfield. But don’t rule out signing a veteran in a reserve role, someone like David Peralta, Hunter Renfroe or Harrison Bader.
Catchers (2)
Francisco Alvarez
Omar Narvaez
Skinny: Alvarez is the clear No. 1 and future All-Star. Narvaez is a sure bet to pick up his $7 million player option after a brutal offensive season in 2023.