2 places the NY Mets must be ruthlessly aggressive, 1 where they can be passive

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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.

The Mets need to be in the thick of any blockbuster trade opportunities

The Mets have minor league ammunition. They need to make use of it eventually. If there are trades available without a ridiculous asking price, they must be in the thick of negotiations.

The offseason will offer the Mets a crack at players nearing the end of their contract, a little too expensive, or in the way of a prospect opposing teams think are a better fit. Whatever their reason for trading a player, the Mets need to get involved.

The Mets are currently a team made of mostly homegrown players. They've been a bit quiet on the trade front in the offseason. Francisco Lindor is the only major player still on the roster acquired through trade.

One of those reasons they haven’t made more deals has been the lack of prospects deemed expendable. Things have changed. Since reloading their farm this past summer, more of those farmhands could be traded without hurting the club's future.

There isn't a need to make a trade for the sake of doing something. All we should ask is for the Mets to at least let it be known they're willing to talk. Coming up short on one of those all-time blockbuster trades won’t have us in a panic. Sitting out the trade negotiations, however, will have a much more negative affect on how the fans are feeling.

The Mets can be passive with free agent position players looking for long deal

Aggressively attacking free agent pitching and any of the notable trades available are a must. What's not is signing a position player to a long term deal. The Mets should be passive about this.

Free agency doesn't have too many of those position players hoping to find his final destination for the next half-decade or more. Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman could end up as number one and two. Both are fits for the Mets. Neither is a necessity.

New York can benefit from adding an outfielder, third baseman, and DH. None of those signings are required to put a dent into the payroll, though. They already do have options at each spot. The mistake here would be not doing anything at all as it’s clear they do need upgrades. The Mets just don’t need to blow us away with signing the next free agent legend. He’s not out there anyway.

For the most part, this year’s free agency class of offensive players are on a similar level. You can buy a Teoscar Hernandez and imagine him sinking or swimming with the team just as much as someone like Jesse Winker could be rejuvenated.

Finding the right fit in every which way possible should be the goal for the Mets. They can spend some time observing. Pitching should be the focus. Let the hitters know you’re interested, but don’t rush into anything until you’re sure.

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