Five Roster Moves New York Mets Can Make to Get Back in Playoff hunt in 2024
In the 2022 campaign, the New York Mets went 101-61 before falling short in the Wildcard series to a Juan Soto-led Padres team. Despite what many viewed as an early exit for a team that had World Series aspirations, Mets fans were left feeling positive about their prospects for the 2023 season.
New York followed this up with a historic offseason in terms of spending. After losing Jacob DeGrom, Mets Owner Steve Cohen went after the next best thing in 40-year- old ace Justin Verlander (two-Years, $86 Million), on top of bringing in Japanese sensation Kodai Senga (five-years, $75 million), and veterans Jose Quintana (two-years, $26 million) and David Robertson (one-year, $10 million) to form one of the best pitching staffs on paper in the league. These additions combined with the core roster they were able to keep in place gave Mets fans a lot to be excited about.
But the trade deadline saw the Mets become sellers with a record of 50-55, something their fans couldn’t have envisioned going into the year, offloading their new men, Verlander (Astros) and Robertson (Marlins), as well as dealing 39-year-old ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers. With the 2023 season raising concerns about holes in the Mets roster, here are five moves New York needs to make this offseason to get back into the playoff picture.
With the losses of two of their starters, New York will surely look to fill in some of the gaps in the rotation behind Senga and Quintana. At least two pitchers should be brought in this offseason with a few big names set to hit the market. Of course there will be whispers all offseason about where Shohei Ohtani will end up and the Mets have always been a team on that shortlist. However, the Mets have made it clear that they aren't going to spend as much as they did in the past two offseasons.
When looking at the free agent market for 2023, 35-year-old Clayton Kershaw is still in his prime and could be the ace the Mets need to propel themselves back into winning ways when his contract expires this offseason. Michael Lorenzen, former Angels pitcher who was just dealt to the Phillies, could be a nice option on the market to add depth to the rotation. They could also sign star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In regards to a trade, the Mets could also make a move for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease who is 27 and has a number of years ahead of him.
On top of bringing in two starters, New York will need a piece or two in the bullpen with David Robertson now in Miami. When closer Edwin Diaz returns, the Mets will want a sharp setup guy to support the league’s top closer. Robertson will become available again and holds a current ERA of 2.57, while Philadelphia reliever Craig Kimbrel and Angels pitcher Matt Moore will also hit the market in free agency. One or even two of these stellar arms added onto the return of Diaz can make the Mets' bullpen more than formidable next season.
Assuming New York brings in two starters and a reliever, they’ll have one more hole to fill in terms or acquisitions and that is in the outfield. The Mets moved depth pieces Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, leaving Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and an injured Starling Marte as their only reliable outfielders. Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger could be options in free agency.
Beyond the outfield, 2023 All-Star J.D. Martinez will be available and could help boost the Mets' lineup.
Most importantly, New York will want to hold onto the talent they have and make sure the direction of the organization doesn’t become a rebuild. Notably, first baseman Pete Alonso will be looking for a paycheck this offseason and if the Mets want to remain competitive, retaining one of the best power hitters in the league will be essential to that effort. Alonso could command anywhere around the Aaron Judge contract of nine-years, $360 million.
While it feels bleak for Mets fans at the moment, there is still a solid core of stars on this roster and a couple big additions could completely flip the outlook for the 2024 campaign.
