NY Mets: Top three positions of need to address this offseason

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: A baseball hat and a glove sit on the bench in the dugout before a game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: A baseball hat and a glove sit on the bench in the dugout before a game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 24: New York Mets equipment on the field during batting practice before a game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 24: New York Mets equipment on the field during batting practice before a game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

With Steve Cohen in line to purchase the New York Mets, they could be posed to make some big moves this offseason and there are a few key areas to focus on.

Historically, the New York Mets front office has been hesitant to sign big named free agents, due to the high salary and length those deals typically go for.

While there are a few exceptions, this has typically been their M.O. when signing players. However, with Billionaire Steve Cohen in line to purchase the team, things may be different for the Mets this offseason.

Cohen is a big Mets fan and already a minority owner in the team. If approved, he will be the wealthiest owner in Baseball, and while he will not spend his entire net worth on the team, we can expect to see an increase in the player payroll.

In his personal life, Steve Cohen is known to be a lavish spender, having reportedly once bought a sculpture of a rabbit for a reported $91 million, so it’s fair to say he may be more willing to go after a more expensive player than the Wilpons.

While Mets fans are no doubt dreaming of some of the All-Star players Cohen could potentially bring into Queens, it is important to remember all good teams spend their money responsibly and that we cannot just sign every big name.

Based on how the team has performed in the shortened 2020 season, there are three big areas the Mets need to address in the coming offseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mets need some starting pitching

To anyone who followed the Mets’ 2020 season, one of the most glaring issues the team struggled with was getting consistent outings from starting pitchers.

While Jacob deGrom was consistently great and rookie David Peterson had a solid rookie season, the rest of the team’s starters struggled to stay healthy and those who did play for the most part, did not meet the team’s expectations on the mound.

To summarize, Noah Syndergaard missed the entire season due to Tommy John Surgery, Marcus Stroman injured his calf prior to the season and then opted out once healthy, Steven Matz had a career-worst year and was moved to the bullpen, and last year’s free agent signings Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha both struggled in the majority of their starts.

At the time of writing, the Mets combined ERA among starting pitchers is a staggering 5.41, ranked 26th in the league, so needless to say, they could use and upgrade this offseason.

Going into 2021, the Mets will have Jacob deGrom, a healthy Syndergaard and likely Peterson filling out the first 3 spots in the rotation, leaving two openings for new acquisitions.

Luckily for the Mets, this offseason, there are several quality free agent pitchers who the team, under the guidance of new owner, Steve Cohen, could bring into the mix to fill these holes.

Firstly, there are a few younger (and likely pricier) options that the Mets could go after, such as resigning Marcus Stroman or going after other names like James Paxton or Trevor Bauer, both of whom are in their early 30s and have been consistent pitchers the bulk of their careers.

The other route the Mets could go is to go after more veteran players on shorter deals with more of an upside. Veteran pitchers like Jon Lester, Corey Kluber, Jake Arrieta, and Cole Hamels are expected to be on the market this year, and each one of them, despite their each, still have some solid baseball left to play.

The bottom line is, whether the Mets’ strategy is to sign a bunch of young guys long term or some older, quality pitchers on short deals, they will have plenty of options come this offseason.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 04: JT Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two run home run in the 5th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 04, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 04: JT Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two run home run in the 5th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 04, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Mets need a starting catcher upgrade

The Mets had historically had difficulty getting consistent offense from their starting catchers until they brought in Wilson Ramos on a 2-year deal prior to the 2019 season. Ramos had a great debut season for the Mets, hitting .288 with a .351 OBP for the club, however, has not replicated the same success in the shortened 2020 season.

Ramos’ deal with the Mets will be up following this season, and there’s one player every fan has on their mind for the team to go after to replace him.

This off-season, one of the biggest stories to follow is where All-Star Catcher JT Realmuto will end up. The 30-year-old backstop will be a free agent for the first time in his career, and the Mets, with Cohen’s new backing, and expected to be in the mix for him.

After breaking the bank to sign Bryce Harper, the Phillies might not be able to spend the money to retain him, and if he hits the open market, he’d be the Mets’ best option to make an upgrade.

Realmuto is a former gold glover behind the dish, and at the plate, can hit for both power and average. At 30 years old, he is also younger than Ramos, so on all accounts, bring in JT would be a big upgrade for the club.

The only catch is that catchers can be an unreliable position to break the bank on a long term deal. At 30 years old, the Mets may be hesitant to meet what will likely be Realmuto’s large asking price, or may simply want to spend the big money on a different position.

As for more affordable options, they could bring back Ramos on another 1-2 year deal. Regarding other free agents, James McCann is another fine offensive catcher on the market, or they could they to poach Yadier Molina from the Cardinals. Despite being the oldest of the bunch, Molina is still a solid hitter and would be a defensive upgrade over Ramos.

While the Mets do have options at this position, they are limited compared to those at starting pitcher. While Mets fans may be begging to bring in Realmuto, New York needs to make sure to bring in a quality backstop a the very least.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 17: Starling Marte #6 of the Miami Marlins looks on against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park on September 17, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 17: Starling Marte #6 of the Miami Marlins looks on against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park on September 17, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The Mets’ need for a center field boost

While the Mets have had one of the better offenses in the shortened season, one thing the team still lacks is a true center fielder.

For the 2020 season, Brandon Nimmo has started the bulk of the games for the Mets at Center, and while he has been a good hitter at the plate and a solid defender, the Mets could benefit from potentially shifting him to one of the corner positions and bringing in a natural center fielder.

While they did bring in Jake Marisnick for this season and could resign him, there are a few free agents that have more offensive potential than him. However, while this is a need, it is unlikely that the Mets break the bank on bringing one in.

As for free agents that the Mets could bring in to fill this role at an affordable, there seem to be two prime candidates on the market this coming off-season.

The first is a player that has been linked to New York in the past, Starling Marte. There were rumors circulating that the Mets had considered making a trade with the Pirates for Marte’s services last year before he was dealt to Arizona, who then traded him to Miami at this year’s trade deadline.

A former All-Star, Marte is a fine defensive outfielder, having won 2 Gold Gloves over his career, and is a formidable hitter as well, with a career batting average of .287, and in 2019, hit a career-high 23 home runs.

Marte would fill this need for the Mets nicely, however, he does have a team option remaining on his contract for $12.5 million, and if the Marlins choose to exercise it following the season, this choice will be off the table for New York.

If that’s the case, the other option for the Mets to pursue would be Kevin Pillar. Another great defender and solid hitter, Pillar has bounced around the league quite a bit after starting out his career with the Blue Jays back in 2013.

Over the past 2 seasons, Pillar has played for 4 different teams, Starting out 2019 with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Giants. He signed with the Red Sox on a 1-year deal prior to the 2020 season before being dealt again to the Rockies at this year’s deadline.

As stated, Pillar is a strong defender, frequently making highlight-reel catches in center, and a good hitter, with a lifetime .262 average, and he hit a career-high 21 home runs in 2019.

Either Marte or Pillar would give New York the extra defense they need to improve centerfield, and both men would be welcome additions to the Mets lineup.

Next. Mets catcher options to explore in free agency

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