The regular season is done (and so are the Mets & Yanks), so it is officially "Hot Stove" season in New York. This is our daily open thread to discuss the many possibilities in the Mets' first off-season headed by a President Of Baseball Operations (POBO). There are many intriguing story lines and rumors already spinning around in the media, so this is your opportunity to weigh in with your thoughts.
Today's topic: With an aging Marte coming off a year lost to injury, McNeil dealing with an ACL tear, Stewart showing promise in the late season, and several prospects raking in the minors, how should the Mets handle the corner outfield positions in 2024?
19 comments:
I am very worried about the McNeil injury. He has always enjoyed great ability to put bat on ball, which has led to his hitting prowess. An injury like this will cause mechanical changes to his swing as his body reacts to pain and weakness in the elbow. This could alter his swing enough to lose his ability to hit as well as he has. His value was both as a hitter and a versatile player that could play many IF/OF positions. Without the bat, that value lessons.
I don't think Marte will ever be the same player he was for the first 2/3 of the 2022 season. Players who rely on tremendous athleticism like Marte are affected by age as injuries take their toll.
This means that TWO corner positions are entirely up for grabs. Stewart made a bid with his bat, but although he made some impressive catches this year, he lacks the range and arm to play above his peer group in right field. If he continues to hit, he could be a left fielder. So could Baty if he loses his 3B position. So could Mauricio if Baty doesn't lose the 3B position.
Whatever the case, the Mets need to fill those corners with hits and with power. Their lineup needs a boost in OPS and that is where you can get it. As much as the Mets need to prioritize their spending on pitching, they still need to think about spending on a corner outfielder.
First, McNeil...sounds treatable. Also, it is his left elbow, and he throws right-handed. Also, for a LHH, the right arm is the power arm on your bat...many players end up letting go with their other "guide" hand.
Marte feels like a 4th OF to me now, and Mets need a power OF bat to hit behind Pete in the lineup. Whether they can acquire Otani (to DH) Bellenger, or Soto, or someone else, THAT would solidify the OF. From what Steve & Stearns reiterated abt being competitive while "maintaining the future," I don't see them trading 3 top prospect for Soto, but waiting until he becomes a FA after 2024.
I would look at the outfield as a whole as opposed to just the corners. I would search the trade market for a corner outfielder that can bat fifth in the line-up. In the ideal world, I would pursue a sign and trade deal with San Diego for Soto. There have been several suggested trade scenarios here and on other sites. Second, I would get the team medical staff all over Marte. I do not think that he is tradable due to salary and injury concerns. The hope is with proper conditioning he will be able to hold the position until Gilbert or Williams is promoted in the second half. During the first half of the year - Soto in left, Nimmo in center, Marte in right. During the second half - Nimmo and Soto in the corners with Gilbert/Williams in center
Around the field for opening day 2025 i would have Alverez at catcher, Alonso at first, O'Neill/ Williams/ Acuna/ Maricio at second, Lindor at short. Baty/ Vientos/ Maricio/ Acuña at third. Nimmo in left, Soto in right and Gilbert/ Williams in center. Some combination will fill the DH.
Regarding Mauricio, I don't see him as an OF upgrade, even if they were to try and make him into one...which I doubt. I thought he looked better at 2B, but he is a little to tall to be ideal there. He has said he prefers the left side because as a SS, he is used to how the ball comes off the bat. Additionally, he has a great and accurate arm to play 3B.
He clearly needs more reps and coaching over there, but I feel like that would be his best position.
Gilbert might be ready. Mauricio looked surprisingly stiff and awkward and uncomfortable tracking balls in milb of in sss. Baty looked ok in milb lf. Again sss. .
Gilbert is not going to skip over AAA, in my opinion. Only the Juan Soto types do.
I'm very excited about what arrives in 2025
And I think free agents may have some second thoughts after 10+ changes of top management or ownership in 4 years
McNeil will heal
Marte will stumble through
Nimmo will be the rock
DJ is a keeper
Sign a 5th
I don't see ANY of the Mets minor league position prospects playing in MLB in
first half of 2024. It's complicated enough getting this year's 4 rookies
squared away in 2024.
Nickel, I frankly am tired of “Mauricio can’t field here, can’t field there.” He better come to cam ready to EFFECTIVELY play any of 4 positions. He’s played several hundred pro games.
And the Mets unreasonably restricted him to SS for 90%
of his time in pro ball knowing Lindor was blocking his path.
I liked him at 2B & 3B so far.
Either Jett or Acuña will wind up at CF
Jett Williams has turned out to be a great athlete and baseball player. However, he only has 21 games in CF in his professional career. In my opinion he would have to play a full season at AA/AAA in center to get the experience tracking balls off pro bats to be "ready" for an MLB outfield position.
nickel same craziness has gone on for so long as I remember asking the same question with Wilmer when he was coming up because he wasn't good enough to man SS but they didn't move him and now of course he's a 3rd baseman. Waiting so long to move Mauricio and then waiting so long to bring him up supposedly to get Porky more AB's is crazy. Hopefully DS will address these issues but he certainly has alot to do this off season.
I can't wait till Jett the Met plays his first game but hopefully he will be one of many pleasant surprises next season. Do I say it HAS to be better than this year...fingers crossed.
I’m a big fan of Korean OF Jung Hoo Lee. Kid can flat out hit with a sweet swing. Check out the videos of him crushing a ball off of Yamamato and hitting an unhittable ball at his feet for a double. Young at 25, Great swing, and walks more than he K’s. Shouldn’t cost a lot as other hitters on market.
I think Marte gets the start in the OF to start the year and moves to the 4th OF and occasional DH when Gilbert comes up mid season. I think McNeil and Mauricio also get time in the OF. Almost all Off season spending has to go into 2 Rotation spots and one good set up guy.
LOL, Porky…. Oh man!!
Anyone else think Vientos has the bat season in 2024 of all the rookies. Like 245,22,65?
Remember's ramblings about right (and left) field.
I too am a bit worried about McNeil. My initial thought is that Jeff should be the fulltime left fielder - if he is physically able and the elbow does not affect his hitting.
Starling Marte will still be under contract in 2024 and again, if healthy, will get a good share of at-bats in right field, but perhaps not as a true starter.
I like a player like Locastro for his versatility and speed, but he is a 5th
outfielder. That leaves a big void as the #3-#4 guy, thinking that Marte will share that role as well.
In looking through the upcoming free agent list, there is nothing there that stands out as anyone I would be rushing to sign. If they have a (32) or higher after their name, I'll pass automatically. The ONLY MLB FA I would sign this year might be Whit Merifield. I keep seeing articles on my sports feed about this player or that - Adam Duvall seems to be popular. Just say no!
As far as the kids on the farm, I think it is possible that Gilbert might get a cup of coffee with a September callup. To count on him coming up mid-year is unrealistic. Williams is even a longer shot. While it is true that both had a nice run in 2023 in AA, they both need their reps in AAA. I think Pete Crow-Armstrong is a good example of rushing a player up. Baty was probably another one. Let's not ruin our blue chips by bringing them up before they are ready.
I do not follow nor have any idea of the foreign leagues, but perhaps Amazin Z is on to something with the Korean player.
Lastly, I am not a fan of either trading for Soto or tying up big money for him for a lot of years. I like the talent, but let's try to build a team without anymore $400M contracts (ok, any more $350M+ contracts).
Remember, Soto is 24 years old, same as your prospects. However, I like the prospects, he is a proven commodity. You don’t find that and it isn’t ever available. Take it if you can get it. I don’t want to pay the prospect cost, but the dollar cost is probably a better investment than any they have done since Lindor got signed.
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