Mike's Mets - A Step Back Might Be the Best Way Forward

 

By Mike Steffanos

I'd love to see true creativity from David Stearns this winter in building a deep, competitive roster for 2024 rather than just handing out Steve Cohen's cash.

I'm 64 years old and have been a Mets fan since I was 10. After waiting for decades since the last championship, I'm selfish about wanting to be around for the next one. I'm not signing on for any 5-year plan back to the top for my team. Fortunately, that should be optional for a club that now sports a deep farm system and an owner with a very big checkbook. On the other hand, I have nothing against the Mets taking a brief, strategic withdrawal to regroup. That may be their best plan of action for 2024.

John Harper wrote a column for SNY discussing what it might take to field a truly competitive team in Flushing next season, concentrating on the club's offense. Harper based this column on conversations with five unnamed talent evaluators. I thought it was an interesting topic, as most writers pontificating on what the Mets might need to compete next season tend to concentrate on a starting rotation where the only two proven commodities returning are Kodai Senga and José Quintana. While putting together a rotation that can truly compete would obviously be Job 1 for David Stearns this offseason, he would also be tasked with finding more offensive clout for a club that didn't produce enough even before the deadline day selloff.

If the Mets are serious about competing in 2024, they'll need to upgrade their offense at 2B, 3B, both corner OF positions and DH. (And that's assuming they hold onto Pete Alonso for next year.) Some potential puzzle pieces are already here. Ronny Mauricio has shown enough to be considered for an infield job next season, the exact position TBD. Jeff McNeil has bounced back enough offensively to merit consideration in a multi-position role. DJ Stewart has undoubtedly earned the chance to compete for a combination OF/DH role next season, although striking out in 30% of his PA is worrisome. If Starling Marte can heal enough, he will get a starting job in RF.

Then you have guys like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. They'll be in the mix for jobs in spring training if neither gets traded. Neither has done much in 2023 to give themselves a leg up next year. In particular, Baty enjoyed an extended chance to win a job this season and has fallen far short of doing so. A slash line of .212/.282/.314 with an OPS+ of 65 in 348 PA speaks for itself, especially with Brett's defensive liabilities. Meanwhile, Vientos has slashed .218/.262/.345 in 187 PA. Both youngsters have struggled to make contact, with Baty striking out 28.2 % of his PA and Vientos 29.8%. Even fellow rookie Francisco Álvarez, who enjoyed a successful rookie campaign, has run out of steam as the season has winded down.

Getting back to Harper's column, John and his quintet of talent evaluators feel that the Mets would have to add an impact bat to their roster to have a chance of having a playoff-caliber offense in 2024. As Harper points out, Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger are the only two free agents who fit that bill.

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