A top MLB insider believes the New York Mets could improve their designated hitter spot for 2024 by signing the top slugger left in MLB free agency.
After a massively disappointing showing this past season, the Mets have reportedly been very active on the free-agent market as they seek to improve the roster for 2024. Over the last few weeks, they have been seen as a top contender for Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, however, he is just one of many players they have been linked to in recent days.
Well, you can add another notable name to the list of stars New York could bring to Citi Field next season. After the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a record-shattering $700 million contract with superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman claimed the organization is not expected to re-sign slugger JD Martinez.
- JD Martinez stats (2023): .271 AVG, .321 OBP, .572 SLG, 33 HR, 103 RBI, 61 R
New York Mets seen as top contender for JD Martinez
However, he also suggested that four specific teams could be top contenders for the six-time All-Star and he listed the New York Mets among those organizations.
When it comes to improving the lineup, the team needs an on-base machine and it’s why they have been linked to Korean league star Jung-Hoo Lee. But the 36-year-old doesn’t really fix that issue, however, he would be a massive upgrade at DH for next season.
Related: New York Mets have strong interest in signing the Ichiro Suzuki of South Korean baseball league
After making a major impact following a trade to the team in 2022, Daniel Vogelbach was a top source of fan frustration in 2023. The organization continuously put him in the lineup at DH for most of the season despite his struggles all year.
The plump six-year veteran hit just 13 home runs with a .233 average and .342 on-base percentage this past season. While Martinez hit cleanup during the All-Star game as a Dodger and bashed 33 homers in 2023 — he has hit 20 or more HRs nine times during his career. He also hit .321 for the National League West champions this past season.
