3 Mets we'll wish we had back for the 2024 season

The New York Mets will have many new faces arriving in Port St. Lucie, Florida, this spring training. As with every professional sports franchise, the Mets are prone to roster turnover every season. In some scenarios, the Mets have entered training camp with excitement around new acquisitions such as Edwin Diaz in 2019 or Max Scherzer in 2022. In other scenarios, the team stood pat with just a few minor league signings such as in 2017 when re-signing Jerry Blevins and Yoenis Cespedes were the only transactions of note.

However, new players arriving in South Florida means old faces have left the organization for different opportunities. This offseason was no different, with many key players departing at the trade deadline that needed to be replaced through free agency. For the most part, players that have left the Mets in recent years were coming off of disappointing seasons or were only offered minor league contracts elsewhere.

In this case, think of players and coaches we never wanted back like Joely Rodriguez or Luis Rojas. In rare cases, we find ourselves wishing the Mets had retained certain personnel like Kevin Long as hitting coach in 2018 or Zack Wheeler in the 2020 rotation. This spring training, which players and coaches will we wish the Mets had retained for the 2024 season?

1. Mark Canha

Heading into the 2021-22 offseason, the Mets had many position players coming off of down performances. New general manager Billy Eppler had decisions to make on homegrown talent entering free agency, most notably Michael Conforto. After a contract extension failed to manifest the prior spring training, Conforto turned down the $18.4 million qualifying offer and tested free agency. This decision by Conforto was questionable but not surprising given Scott Boras is his agent.

To replace Conforto in free agency, the Mets signed outfielder Mark Canha to a contract worth 2-year $26.5 million. Entering his age 33 season, Canha had a steady track record with the Oakland Athletics for his on-base ability and quality defense at both corners of the outfield. While Canha did not possess the same power upside as Conforto, his consistent availability and versatility to play multiple positions enticed the Mets enough to offer him 2-years.

Suffice it to say, Canha was one of Eppler's best decisions. He immediately caught the galore of Mets fans with his excitement to play for Buck Showalter as well as his interest in learning all about New York's catering halls and restaurants. His performance on the field was reminiscent of Curtis Granderson: a veteran outfielder who even through a struggle, always found a way on base. The aspect of Canha's game we will miss the most is his knack for a clutch hit, most notably his 2-home run and 5 RBI performance against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.

2. David Robertson

Every spring training, the Mets enter spring training with one noticeable but just-worthy difference: a revamped bullpen centered around Diaz. The plan heading into 2022 was to give Showalter a multitude of late-inning options to bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and the 9th inning. Eppler addressed this need by trading for Brooks Raley and signing Adam Ottavino and David Robertson to one-year contracts.

As with every spring training, the roster on opening day was not exactly what Eppler and Showalter had in mind. Diaz was expected to miss the entire 2023 season following his injury in the World Baseball Classic, meaning their bullpen depth would be tested. Luckily for the Mets, Robertson's track record as a closer even at age 38 was brilliant. The only downside is the role change meant a greater reliance on fringe roster players like Jeff Brigham and John Curtiss

Robertson proved his comeback season in 2022 with the Chicago Cubs was legit, posting a 2.05 ERA through 44 innings with the Mets. Considering the revamped bullpen under Stearns with many unknown commodities, we will miss the calm demeanor Robertson had in saving 14 games for the Mets last season. The bright lights of New York never phased him, having pitched in high-leverage situations for the New York Yankees. Furthermore, Robertson still has the composure to strand inherited men on base, something the Mets haven't had.