NY Mets must revamp offense for the 2022 season

The New York Mets offense was the main reason they underachieved in 2021. The Mets fired their hitting coach Chili Davis in April, but that did nothing to help their performance. They ranked 27th in runs with 637 and 24th with an OPS of .705. Their failure to take control of the Division is what lead to the Atlanta Braves making all of those moves at the deadline that ended up propelling them to a World Series. In theory that could’ve been the Mets, because the Braves won just 88 games. It’s all about getting hot at the right time in October.

The Mets dealt with a lot of injuries, but even when the offense was fully healthy they continuously underperformed. This offseason they have a few important decisions to make, but they need to start by drastically improving this offense . First, do they bring back 2B Javier Baez? He ended up playing quite well after the thumbs-down incident. In 47 games with the Mets, he hit nine home runs with an OPS just under .900. Baez did all of this while shifting back to second base. Of course, there’s the strong connection with SS Francisco Lindor that could give them another reason to re-sign him.

Another decision to make is on OF Michael Conforto who has spent his whole career with the Amazing’s, but he’s coming off of the worse year of his career. In 400 at-bats he had a WAR of one with just 14 home runs, 55 RBI, and an OPS of 730. He was one of the main reasons for their offensive struggles.

The biggest issue is how do they solve the logjam of Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith. What positions do they play? Should they be traded? Last but not least, Robinson Cano is set to return from his suspension, but at 39 years old how much does he realistically have left in the tank?

Now Batting for the 2022 New York Mets My Opening Day Lineup

Keepers: C James McCann 1B Pete Alonso INF/OF Jeff McNeil SS Francisco Lindor OF Brandon Nimmo 2B Robinson Cano INF Javier Baez

The first order of business should be re-signing Baez because he can help this team on offense, solidify infield defense and help the team chemistry. Both sides seem interested in a reunion so offer him a 7-8 year deal in the range of $200-225 million dollars. Secondly, let Conforto walk and look to upgrade the outfield. It might not be worth signing him for what he’s asking for in the open market. They should trade Smith and Davis while they still have value. If this scenario takes place that would create an opening at LF or 3B.

They should sign Kris Bryant because he can play both positions. He would also drastically improve their offense and it could keep him away from a division rival in the Philadelphia Phillies. Bryce Harper is anxious to reunite with his hometown buddy Bryant. I think the strongest defense would put him in left field. His contract could be in the neighbored of six years $160-180 million dollars

This would allow them to permanently put McNeil at third base. He also had the worst year of his career his average of 248 was 50 points below his career and his OPS was a putrid .674. He is still a good hitter and could benefit from having a set position in 2022.

Robinson Cano would be the perfect candidate for the DH if they implement it in the new collective bargaining agreement, but if not they should eat his contract because there won’t be a spot in the field for him.

To fill their hole in CF sign free agent OF Starling Marte who’s coming off a career-high 47 stolen bases and a 308 batting average. He would add balance in the lineup and offset a lot of the strikeouts and lack of speed. His contract could estimate to three to four years for $60-70 million dollars

1. Marte CF
2. Lindor SS
3. Baez 2B
4. Alonso 1B
5. Nimmo RF
6. Bryant 3B
7. Cano DH
8. McNeil LF
9. McCann C

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This lineup would be a major improvement from 2021 and could put them in position to win the division in 2022. It will be an interesting offseason for the Mets and there’s a lot of directions they could go. Bottom line this team should look much different in 2022.