The New York Mets fell just short of going back to the World Series in 2025. Heading into this offseason, they knew they had some areas on the roster that needed reinforcing. Last season, their three worst non-pitcher positions per fWAR were designated hitter, right field, and center field. The Mets have been very active this offseason, but how have they improved these three positions?
Designated Hitter
For being a position all about hitting, the Mets didn’t get high-end offensive at designated hitter. Their DH’s turned in a .228/.329/.398 triple-slash, .321 wOBA, and 109 wRC+. They weren’t the worst group in the league, but the Mets’ designated hitters were one of only 13 teams with a sub-.400 slugging percentage. J.D. Martinez was the Mets’ go-to answer at designated hitter, with 489 plate appearances at the position.
As of right now, it looks as if the Mets will be heading into the 2025 season with a platoon at designated hitter. They re-signed Jesse Winker, who batted .258/.366/.422 with a .347 wOBA and 124 wRC+ vs right-handed pitching in 2024. He struck out just under 20% of the time with a 19.8% K% and drew a walk in 12.9% of his plate appearances vs RHP. Winker has always hit righties very well throughout his career, with an .841 OPS.
The other end of that platoon is Starling Marte. The veteran right-handed hitter slashed .310/.384/.460 through 113 plate appearances. Marte had a 22.1% K% and 9.7% walk rate when facing Southpaws. However, he didn’t hit for much power with a below-average .150 isolated slugging percentage. But he still had a strong .368 wRC+ and 141 wRC+. Marte has about even splits against lefties and righties throughout his career, with a .773 OPS vs LHP and .787 OPS vs RHP.
If Marte and Winker continue to hit like they did against opposite-handed pitching in 2024 and again in 2025, that is a combined .270/.368/.431 batter in 517 plate appearances. Of course, that isn’t an exact science, but if Winker and Marte combine to hit anything like that in 2025, the Mets will definitely improve at designated hitter.