What would the 2019 Mets look like with Manny Machado on the roster?

New York Mets fans young and old wanted to see their favorite team sign Manny Machado this past winter. What would the team look like if they did?

In case you didn’t hear, this past winter included two major free agents on the open market. Bryce Harper and Manny Machado both said goodbye to their former teams and decided to sign elsewhere. Hopeful fans of the New York Mets begged and pleaded for the team to go out and land one of these stars. There was barely a hint that the organization had interest.

It took several months for either to cut a deal, with Machado first signing with the San Diego Padres. Harper later found a home with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Either player would have helped the Mets offense. Say what you want to about their weaknesses. Both are good ballplayer who makes those around them in the lineup stronger.

I wonder, though, what would the Mets look like if they landed either of these two men? For the sake of keeping it simple, I’m going to target Machado. Harper would require them to possibly move on from Michael Conforto or Brandon Nimmo which just creates a whole slew of activity and speculation. Machado is an easier fit because the Mets actually did go out and add a third baseman this offseason.

Do you remember a man named Jed Lowrie? The veteran infielder has been on the injured list since February. The Mets brought him to town in a rather shocking move because of how needless the addition felt. Nevertheless, he could provide them with an upgrade over Todd Frazier and gave the team another option at the other infield positions.

In a hypothetical world where the Mets get Machado, Lowrie isn’t on this team. Frazier is also on the bench with just the occasional start at a corner infield position. Machado would play every day at third base and provide comfort behind shortstop Amed Rosario.

It sounds easy enough to build a team like this. As usual, the financial implications play a major role.