The Mets Need More Power. Where Should It Come From?
The 2024 New York Mets finished the season sixth in home runs (207) and ninth in team OPS (.734). However, the team leader in home runs (Pete Alonso, 34), their primary designated hitter (J.D. Martinez, 16) and a half dozen other players who contributed a couple dozen homers and pop are no longer on the roster.
Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Mark Vientos are a formidable power trio. That probably gets you half way to 207. But after that, there are plenty of question marks. Brandon Nimmo may not be a consistent 25-homer guy. Francisco Alvarez took a big step back last year. Starling Marte shouldn’t be counted on for 500 plate appearances. And Jeff McNeil teeters between a contact hitter and a pull-happy home run hitter—all recently to middling success.
Let’s look at where the Mets can find some needed power for their lineup.
Photo by Roberto Carlo
It’s Right There at the Top End of Free Agency
Pete Alonso is still a free agent. That fills a massive power gap. Alex Bregman is still available, too. Anthony Santander has hit 105 homers over the last three seasons. Either one of those guys would add some serious depth to the current lineup.
Since signing Juan Soto and Sean Manaea, the Mets have given no indication they’re done spending. Jeff Passan reported the Mets are still looking for outfield help. (Hint: they don’t really believe in Starling Marte.) While none of the above tick that box, signing one lets you figure it out in the outfield.
Look to the Trade Market
The trade market for a power bat is pretty weak. Here’s a list of guys who may or may not be available for a trade, depending who you ask (a general manager or a reporter):
The last guy on the list just signed an extension with the A’s, and the other two will cost a lot. Nolan Arenado wasn’t included, because he’s not really seen as much of a power addition nowadays. (The glove is very much still there and would be nice to have.)
It’ll be tough—right now—for the Mets to improve the lineup in the trade market.
The One-Year Guys
Plenty of free agents will sign one-year deals in January and February, some providing great value to the teams they sign with. Some guys who will likely sign one-year deals (or 1+1s) include:
- Jurickson Profar
- Jesse Winker
- Paul DeJong
- Brandon Drury
- Mark Canha
- Tommy Pham
- Adam Duvall
- Randal Grichuk
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Mets sign one of these guys, with Winker the name they’ve been most connected to due to recent ties.
They Already Have Enough
Some would argue the lineup as it stands is enough. Soto, Lindor and Vientos. Everything else is gravy. Alvarez is due for a bounce back. Nimmo has consistently hit 20 homers. The rest—McNeil, Marte, Brett Baty, and prospects like Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio—are enough.
I’m less inclined to buy into this thinking.
What Should They Do?
What the Mets should do and what they will do are two different questions.
What they should do is fork over the money for Bregman and Alonso. With those two, the Mets have a legitimate premium offense in baseball for the next couple years.
The most realistic scenario is re-signing Alonso to start. It seems at this point, the Mets are waiting for Alonso and camp to cave to what essentially will be a one-year deal, though it’ll certainly pack on more player options after that. (Recent reports say Boras is still looking for a big number for Alonso.) It gives Alonso a chance to break the Mets’ home run record. (He needs just 27 more.) If he doesn’t, something went wrong. If he does, he can re-enter the market as the second-best first baseman (Vlad Jr.), which should help his desires to get a longer-term deal.
After that, the right blend of outfielder and pop in my opinion would be Mark Canha. His second half with San Francisco stunk, but he had 24 extra-base hits in the first half with Detroit. He likes New York. Seems like he’d fit fine as a fifth outfielder and in the clubhouse. That’s give the Mets an outfield of Soto, Nimmo, Jose Siri, Tyrone Taylor and Canha. Marte would almost exclusively DH, if he remains on the roster.
How do you think the Mets will round out their lineup?
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