3 players that will haunt the 2024 Mets

Decisions on these three players will haunt the Mets in 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates v Milwaukee Brewers
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3) Jarred Kelenic

From Waukesha, Wisconsin, Jarred Kelenic was drafted 6th overall by the Mets in 2018. As an amateur player, Kelenic showed great ability to play all three outfield positions with premier power and on-base ability. After playing just 56 games in rookie-ball for the Mets, he was traded to Seattle for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz.

Kelenic has had an up and down beginning to his major league career. He struggled mightily with Seattle in 2021 and 2022, but continued to perform well in AAA, leaving evaluators to believe the former top 10 prospect in baseball can still recapture his all-star form. In 2023, Kelenic has finally broken out hitting 11 home runs, 49 RBI, and 25 doubles in just 105 games.

The 2024 Mets would have looked so much different with PCA, Kelenic, and Rodriguez at the helm. The trade for Drew Gilbert would have been redundant with three homegrown outfielders including Nimmo to build around for years to come. 2024 would not have to be viewed as a "transition year" for the Mets as the outfield and catching positions would have been solidified, with the only questions being at third base and DH.

This homegrown talent that was squandered on bad trade decisions for Baez, Cano, and Lucchesi will haunt the Mets in 2024. I would go as far as to say trading Gimenez was a disaster as well; his age and contract are much more favorable long-term than Lindor. Homegrown teams win championships- just ask the Astros, Braves, and Dodgers.

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