It seems that due to financial constraints, the New York Mets are unlikely to sign one of the impact players still available in MLB free agency to upgrade their designated hitter position for 2024.
While the Mets 2023 lineup did not bludgeon opponents like they did the year before, they still got quite a few standout performances from some of their hitters. Pete Alonso nearly hit 50 home runs. Francisco Alvarez showed that he might be the best power-hitting catcher in MLB, as he smashed 25 homers. Plus, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo also had strong performances this past season.
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However, one area of frustration for Mets fans all year was DH. After playing well in a platoon during the 2022 season, Daniel Vogelbach was a huge disappointment in 2023. Furthermore, when the organization tried to address the lack of production with in-house options, such as Mark Vientos, the results were often even worse.
New York Mets unlikely to upgrade DH spot this winter
That is why many hoped that the team would look to upgrade the position during the offseason. And in recent weeks, it seemed like that was a possibility after different reports linked the team to six-time All-Star JD Martinez and a reunion with fan-favorite Mets veteran Justin Turner. However, it looks like that will not be happening.
On Tuesday, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino reported that New York is expected to make some more moves this offseason, but they will do so with a budget of $10 million. Martino also claimed New York is prioritizing the bullpen over DH with that money.
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While President of Baseball Operation David Stearns doesn’t have a hard cap, that amount was still unlikely to be enough to land Martinez or Turner this offseason. Despite trading Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander last year, the New York Mets payroll for 2024 is still $177 million after they decided to take on some of their remaining contracts to land better prospects in those trades.
The team added pitcher Sean Manaea on a $28 million deal earlier this week in a move that is expected to bring their search for starting pitching to a close.