One of the interesting things for the upcoming season is how the Mets roster will change. While one would certainly prefer a solid core of players to build around from year to year, the truth is that the bottom dwelling Mets need to acknowledge the David Stearns roster failure and make some across the board changes to address what left them buried alone in last place.
As it is right now the Mets have some tangible needs going into the 2027 season. There is no first baseman, a less than stellar second baseman, a potential opt out at third base, a starting rotation in disarray and various potential losses in the bullpen. In addition, some of the bench and role players are heading into free agency as well. It’s clear a lot of new faces will be wearing Mets uniforms.
Starting at first base, the Mets need to consider who is classified as playing that position and evaluating if any of them make sense. Let’s see the list:
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Christopher Morel
- Ryan Mountcastle
- Andrew Vaughn
- Josh Bell (mutual option)
- Yandy Díaz (vesting option)
- Carlos Santana (mutual option)
While everyone respects Marcus Semien as a professional, it’s clear that the deterioration of his skills and his health mean that his employer may need to reconsider if he’s the right solution to pencil into the starting lineup on a daily basis. Let’s have a look at free agent options:
- Luis Arraez
- Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- Mauricio Dubón
- Jonathan India
- Brandon Lowe
- Gavin Lux
- Gleyber Torres
- Ozzie Albies (club option)
- Jeff McNeil (club option)
Bo Bichette is in an odd position with his opt out possible if he feels he can land a longer free agent deal though likely at a lower annual rate. Given his less than outstanding first year with the Mets he may feel it’s better to take the big bucks than to try to find a new employer elsewhere. Still, options do exist should he leave:
- Alec Bohm
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- Yoán Moncada
- Anthony Rendon
- Edmundo Sosa
- Eugenio Suárez
- Bo Bichette (opt-out)
- Ramón Urías (mutual option)
In the outfield many people feel that the club is set with a combination of Juan Soto, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. That group may indeed be adequate but there are some names available who might be worth considering, particularly if Ewing moves to 2B or Soto moves to either 1B or DH:
- Randy Arozarena
- JJ Bleday
- Nick Castellanos
- Adolis García
- Trent Grisham
- Ian Happ
- Austin Hays
- Ramón Laureano
- Starling Marte
- Rob Refsnyder
- George Springer
- Seiya Suzuki
- Tyrone Taylor
- Lane Thomas
- Daulton Varsho
- Taylor Ward
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (club option)
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (club option)
- Cedric Mullins (mutual option)
- Luis Robert Jr. (club option)
- Victor Robles (club option)
Designated Hitter has been a black hole for the Mets since it arrived in the National League. We don’t need to rehash what hasn’t worked. Right now chronically injured Jorge Polanco may be slated for that role but if he indeed returns to 1B then the Mets need a thumper there:
- Jorge Soler
- Marcell Ozuna (mutual option)
- Joc Pederson (mutual option)
Going into 2027 the Mets figure to have Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and hopefully Clay Holmes. After that the picture gets muddy with Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga under contract but not delivering as expected. There are indeed some quality starters available to the highest bidder:
- Chris Bassitt
- Shane Bieber
- Jack Flaherty
- Zac Gallen
- Kevin Gausman
- Shota Imanaga
- Tyler Mahle
- Casey Mize
- Freddy Peralta
- David Peterson
- Robbie Ray
- Trevor Rogers
- Max Scherzer
- Brady Singer
- Tarik Skubal
- Jameson Taillon
- Justin Verlander
- Taijuan Walker
- Brandon Woodruff
- Sandy Alcantara (club option)
- José Berríos (opt-out)
- Matthew Boyd (mutual option)
- Corbin Burnes (opt-out)
- Zach Eflin (mutual option)
- Lucas Giolito (mutual option)
- Sonny Gray (club option/player option)
- Clay Holmes (opt-out)
- Tatsuya Imai (opt-out)
- Michael King (opt-out)
- Zack Littell (mutual option)
- Nick Martinez (mutual option)
- Dustin May (mutual option)
- Nick Pivetta (opt-out)
- Drew Rasmussen (club option)
- Luis Severino (player option)
- Jeffrey Springs (club option)
Now in the bullpen the Mets have a bit of an opportunity for some improvements to be made if current players indeed decide to test what other clubs would pay for their services:
- Bryan Abreu
- Jason Adam
- José Alvarado
- David Bednar
- Danny Coulombe
- Pete Fairbanks
- Raisel Iglesias
- Evan Phillips
- Paul Sewald
- Matt Strahm
- Blake Treinen
- Alex Vesia
- Kirby Yates
- Shawn Armstrong (mutual option)
- Aroldis Chapman (mutual option)
- Emmanuel Clase (club option)
- Carlos Estévez (club option)
- Ryan Helsley (opt-out)
- Kenley Jansen (club option)
- Andrés Muñoz (club option)
- Emilio Pagán (opt-out)
- Garrett Whitlock (club option)
Wow. Lots of names. My mind is not in 2027 mode yet.
ReplyDeleteBichette, as a Met, I address in my article later today.
1B trade minter & $$$ for Walker this August. $20M for one year.
ReplyDelete2B sign Arreaz, he can hit & get in base. Bat at the bottom of the order.
Semien as utility IF if he is not cut
Resign / extend Holmes for 3 years including last year of this contract. He can pitch in NYC
Sign Skubal for whatever it takes. (It’s Cohen’s money)
Cut/trade Manaea, Senga
Sign a solid OF that can hit off the bench to pair with Moribato - 5th OF
Rebuild BP after trades
Santucci, Tong, Wenninger, Megill are the starter depth.
Assumes Bichette does not opt out.
Now we're talking, or at least offering up alternative scenarios. What makes all this difficult is not money -- especially if money spent now saves money and promotes time alignment later.-- but uncertainty about whether Soto is willing to move to 1B, etc. And of course, the natural way of thinking about Reece's piece is to imaging fixing holes with FA acquisitions only, other than Walker.
ReplyDeletePriority for me is starting pitching and Skubal in particular. We can't be outbid if we decide not to be. And we can't overworry about years. We have to be mindful of years but when we signed Lindor to 10 and Soto to 15, no one believed that the back end of either contract wouldn't display declining performance. Someone is going to offer Skubal 7yrs @ 50m/per. It should be us. He's also built on a solid trunk like Ryan, Seaver and Clemons, all of whom had long careers with few if any injuries.. I clearly agree with extending Holmes and with both we have significant veteran presence among the starters.
Arreaz is an interesting name. He's been surprisingly versatile defensively. Never a really good defender but has played credibly at 2nd and 1st. And he always hits, if not for power, and doesn't seem capable of drawing a high per year salary or a long one. I don't see that all of a sudden changing so he might be gettable for 2yrs at 25m total with 3rd year as mutual option.
Not my preference on the infield as I'd like a little more youth than Walker and Arraez jointly provide. And also we would be back looking for a 1B a year from now unless Soto moves after 2027 to 1B.
I like Joe Ryan and wonder what he would cost in terms of years. and whether Twins will give him qualifying offer. Mets can only afford one qualifying offer signing and that would have to go to getting Skubal. When looking at other free agent signings, that is something we must consider.
Also Mets are very heavy on LH bats Soto, Ewing, Benge, Lindor & Polanco as SH. Bichette is only accomplished RH bat on roster and he may opt out. (though unlikely).; other RH hitters are Semien, who shouldn't be starting and has no power, and Torrens or Alvarez;, neither of whom can hit. Alvarez's power is theoretical. So, other things being equal I'd like some of the position player gets -- whether in free agency or trade -- to reflect the need for power from the right side.
Arraez and Walker are, i believe, LH bats
ReplyDeleteWalker is RH bat, plays strong defense, costs $20M for one year & is a great stop gap for for 1B. Astros need BP help for this years playoff run. Minter would be a great add. He’ll, even pay rest of minters salary & get a prospect too. Walker has .800 ops & will hit 20 HRs. Stabilizes & maybe Soto to 1B by 2028?
DeleteArreaz fills an immediate need - gets on base & can play 2B for a year or two. Voit can come up when ready & the Bichette situation can play out over the next two seasons. By then, maybe time for Lindor to shift to 3B & voit can play SS or 2B. Arreaz gets on base at bottom of order so Soto can knock him & Ewing in batting second.
They can even resign Walker to a more appropriate follow on deal if he remains productive.
Polanco will DH next year as a switch hitter.
Thanks. for correction on Walker. He would be smart trade. Minter is one of the best chips we have for trade at deadline. He will be FA at end of year and we can look to resign him then if he fits. I agree that Semien will cost too much to trade but would be an effective (if expensive) late inning defensive replacement and utility guy who is good in clubhouse and on the bench. I had not previously thought of Arraez but he would be a more consistent bat at the bottom of the order than any we have had for ages. He shows up and does a very professional job and really good bat to ball skills.
DeleteThere is no doubt Lindor will be a first ballot HOF inductee. However I fear he is at the age where rapid decline is the norm in middle infielders. If he agrees to trade he will fetch more prospects than all our other trade candidates combined. I could live with Bichette, Mauricio or FA Crawford in the short term. Our minor leagues is a shambles. It’s time to reduce our payroll and get under luxury tax in anticipation of new CBA.
ReplyDeleteLots of old guys on this list. Don't trade for aged players even if they have a great history. This team needs a youth movement. By the time the young guys are leading the charge and this is a competitive team, those old guys will be non-productive. It won't matter how many we won and lost between now and then.
ReplyDeleteNeed a couple of beige players. Areaz is 29, Walker is older but still productive, playing everyday & only a one year commitment. There are few 1B free agent options.
DeleteVoit needs next year to develop. No one in system to play 1B. Walker is 36 next year.
Skubal is young. Holmes is established. Moribato adds more youth. Semien is old but ok as utility, RH bench bat & occasional starter for Arreaz against lefties & defense if needed.
PF is young. Lindor & Walker are 33+ 3B & 2B are 30 years old. Catcher is 26.
Polanco is DH & committed for next year.
Give Soto one last year in LF then move to 1B
Don't agree that Lindor is HOF player. Right now, he's below average offensively and defensively. Blew two routine plays yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHere's a crazy one that I thought of after finding out CJ Abrams from the Nats could be available. He's a FA this winter so how about Holmes, Weaver and Minter for him as the Nats need pitching badly and maybe this would get them into the WC. Then we trade Lindor and sign him next winter.
ReplyDelete