2 places where the Mets need to be ruthlessly aggressive, 1 where they can be passive

A ruthlessly aggressive offseason is what every New York Mets fan hopes to see from this team. Will we get it? Are the baseball gods finally ready to listen?

It's too early to know for sure just how hard David Stearns will swing the hammer. All signs point towards the team lowering its payroll. Lower can still keep them among the highest spenders.

The Mets can’t have one of those offseason where we feel like they settled for less. In at least two places, they need to do their utmost to get involved. In a third area, it’s okay if they’re a little more passive and let the chips fall where they may.

The Mets need to be aggressive at landing a top line starting pitcher

If the Mets leave the offseason without one top five starting pitchers in free agency, the front office needs to rethink what they're even doing here. Starting pitching was the early surprising weakness for the Mets in 2023. It's the obvious improvement needed to give them any chance at success in 2024.

There isn't any other place for the Mets to get more aggressive. Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana aren't nearly enough to make us confident in their chances. Striking hard here is an absolute must.

Fortunately, free agency is filled with starting pitchers for the Mets to look into. It only takes money and some convincing to rebuild to rotation. New York can't settle exclusively for mid-level arms. While the top tier or two is up for debate and we would all rank a top five differently, we'll know the difference between what was a success or failure.

Look at it this way; the Mets need someone we can argue deserves the Opening Day start over Senga. Anything less is a bust.