Reese Kaplan -- Will the Mets Actually Find a Good 2027 DH?

Going into 2027 the Mets are at another roster crossroads when it comes to the assignment of someone to serve the role of designated hitter. Thus far in the Mets history they have not had a star caliber season from anyone given a try at DH, including veteran star player J.D. Martinez.  Obviously the Darin Ruf, Daniel Vogelbach types are not right.  

Recovering players who have missed a lot of time due to injury like Starling Marte didn’t work as hoped either.  The DH-of-the-day approach for the 2026 season hasn’t produced much run scoring power.  As next season begins the Mets need to figure out who in that slot in the lineup can actually be a better than average competitor. 

In House Options

• Juan Soto
• Bo Bichette
• Jorge Polanco
• Mark Vientos
• Jared Young
• Brett Baty

Outside the Current Organization

With no one in the minors seeming ready to make the step from AAA to the majors (which includes unfinished development of sluggers like Ryan Clifford and Billy Amick).  There are some good bats further down in the minors but it’s highly unlikely the Mets are going to pick out the next Carson Benge to start the season.  Consequently it will require trades or free agent signings to improve the roster.  

While anyone can slot in at DH there are some who have had ample experience in that role while you could instead pickup a hitter from any position and convert him to full time hitter without any defensive requirements. Let’s see the free agents expected tin the 2026/2027 off season:

Experienced DH Options

• Joc Pederson (34) — He’s an interesting player who really does belong out in the field playing defense.  The issue is his bat.  He averages 26 HRs and 68 RBIs with a .237 career batting average.  Pass.
• Josh Bell (35)  — The big switch hitter has been a bit more productive than Pederson.  He holds a career .256 batting average and averages 24 HRs with 86 RBIs per year. He is much less expensive and shouldn’t struggle against whether the pitcher is a lefty or a righty.  He’s worth some consideration particularly since he earned $7 million during the 2026 season.

Other Top Hitter Free Agents

• George Springer (37) — On a downward offensive trajectory and at a high price tag the soon to be ex Blue Jay averages 30+ HRs and 88 RBIs with a career .265 average.  This year has not been a good one and going into his age 37 playing season he’s not worth what he’s been earning.
• Gleyber Torres (30) — The overpaid current Tiger is having an off year but earning $22 million.  Hs pay rate should dip despite his young age and averages 23 HRs and 80 RBIs with a lifetime .264 average.
• Trent Grisham (30) — The all-or-nothing stellar outfielder is pretty much an all-or-nothing swinger at the plate.  He averages 22 HRs and 69 RBIs with a career .217 batting average and currently earning over $20 million for a slicker fielding version of Daniel Vogelbach.  No thanks.
• Ian Happ (32) — The switch hitting Cub owns a career .244 batting average along with annual total of 25 HRs and 79 RBIs.  Not bad but not great. 
• Rhys Hoskins (33) — The oft injured Hoskins is well known to David Stearns from their Brewers days, but he’s only a .233 hitter with good power when he’s rarely available to play.  Pass.
• Seiya Suzuki (32) — The right handed hitting Cub slugger owns a career .269 average with 27 HRs and 92 RBIs each year but strikes out quite a bit and likely will want a high rate of pay.  At best he’s a maybe. 
• Randy Arozarena (32) — Having a good year the Mariners left fielder is good for 24 HRs and 79 RBIs per season along with 26 SBs.   He’s a career .254 hitter but the SBs along with the run production makes him a reasonable possibility.
• Eugenio Suarez (35) — The man has real power (including one 49 HR season) but has so worn out his welcome that the Reds tested him on waivers as the Mets did with Luis Robert.  He’ll earn probably in the lower teens per year and going into a season during which he’ll turn 36 he’s not likely going to command a long term deal.  I’d call him a low maybe. 
• Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. (33) — The man owns a career .271 batting average along with an annual total of 23 HRs and 90 RBIs.  At age 33 he likely wouldn’t command more than a three year deal. He’s a maybe. 
• Jeff McNeil (34) — The former Met is slated to be a free agent if his employer denies his 2027 option.  His last truly good year was back in 2022.  No thanks.
• Ronald Acuna, Jr. (29) — Forget him. The Braves won’t let him go.
• Taylor Ward (33) — A career .233 hitter with 20+ HR power and good for 73 RBIs, he’s a decent role player as he approaches age 34 but not as a DH in the middle of the order.
• Yandy Diaz (35) — The veteran is a pure hitter.  His power isn’t as good as some of the others with below 20 HRs per year but he’s a .292 hitter currently over .300 for Tampa.  He’s a very interesting DH choice.
• Luis Arraez (29) — The poor fielding Arraez is a terrific hitter born to be a DH.  He’s not a slugger,  but how can you argue with a career .317 batting average?  He currently earns $12 million annually and though he likely would prefer a long range contract he most definitely has the bat and the legs to make him a highly productive regular. 
• Jazz Chisholm (29) — Only a year removed from a 30/30 season Chisholm has not been that great this year but 19 HRs and 55 RBIs along with 40 SBs is not exactly chopped liver.  At just a tad over $10 million annually he’s a very interesting possibility. 
• Alec Bohm (30) — The lead gloved third baseman has DH in his future.  A career .273 hitter with 16 HR and 89 RBI capability would look good in a run production slot in the order. He also doesn’t strike out very much.

Trade options do exist, too.