Reese Kaplan -- The Future's So Bright We Gotta Wear Shades

Some people are slowly accepting the 2024 season as one of transition, evaluation and young player development.  These things all need to be done but after the big buck approach by George Steinbrenner, er, Steve Cohen, folks were not happy when all of the sudden the access to the big wallet seemed not only zippered shut but padlocked as well.  

Going forward the Mets do have some interesting players who will soon enough see Citifield perhaps as early as late 2024 or in 2025.  This group includes Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert, Luisangel Acuna and recovering Ronny Mauricio.  The pitching well is a bit shallower with some folks looking promising for parts of a season or a single season but not matching it with consistency on their way up the ladder.  For today's purposes, let's consider strictly the offense.

As this season unfolds it's possible that some of the current New York Mets may not be a part of the long term future.  The first name on the list is Starling Marte who will still have a single year of contractual obligaton after the 2024 season ends, but who could become an attractive trade chip if he indeed returns to his 2022 level of multifaceted competency.

Strong hitter Jeff McNeil is yet another name who could be playing elsewhere in 2025.  His outfield defense was never outstanding and his home run power was moderate.  Consquently, unless he's hitting in the high .320 range his greatest asset is positional versatility.  Players of this nature like the former Chicago Cub Ben Zobrist are often desirable by other clubs and as a result McNeil could find himself out of New York as multiple middle infielders are vying for playing time in the major leagues.

The truly big one, of course, remains Pete Alonso.  I've suggested already that the Mets need either to extend him very quickly now or be prepared to lose him for nothing but a draft pick if they hang onto him all year long.  The compromise position is a mid year trade to replenish the farm system even more much as was done with star level players Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander last year.  Without a new contract offered up to Alonso before the season begins it becomes more a fait accompli that Citifield will have seen the last of the Polar Bear.

On the building block side of things, Brandon Nimmo is still young enough that his role on the club is likely secure, particularly with the change to a corner outfield position that makes him a more valuable asset.  His high OBP and lately increasing home run power makes him a threat on two fronts besides defense.  His price seems fair for what he provides overall.

The flip side is the high priced contract of Francisco Lindor.  At his rate of pay he's not likely going to be traded anytime and despite a rather slow start to his Mets career has surely converted most doubters with a level of performance commensurate to his paycheck.  

Then there's catcher Francisco Alvarez who may make himself into a middle-of-the-order bat based upon his rookie season with 25 HRs in fewer than 400 ABs.  

Consequently, if these position openings do occur there will be room for Jett Williams and Ronny Mauricio fight it out for playing time on the infield.  Brett Baty and Mark Vientos are getting nearly all of 2024 to show if they are for real or not.  Either way their mutual future is as trade chips or full time players.

The outfield right now is something of a black hole for the Mets.  No one was thrilled with the Harrison Bader signing, but it was for a one year deal and he could simply be told thanks but no thanks after the season ends.  Starling Marte may become a viable pay-down trade chip.  That leaves only Nimmo set for the outfield.  Enter Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuna.  Throw in Jett Williams as a possibility out there as well.  Finally, let's not forget the younger Ryan Clifford who is still just 20 years old but who flashes significant power.  

If some combination of Williams, Acuna and Gilbert make the club in 2025, the entire offense changes from swing for the fences to one just as powerful on the basepaths given the base stealing abilities these men possess that the club for the most part does not have.  Is the club ready to rembrace small ball?  It's not as sexy as home runs, but the Cardinals are a great example of a team that parlayed it into consistent winning for many years in the past.