The best Mets free agent target on each team still hoping to win the 2023 World Series

Mets fans are thinking about 2024, but they should still be paying attention, because there's one player on each of the remaining playoff teams that could look good in blue and orange next year.
Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks - Game Three
Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks - Game Three / Norm Hall/GettyImages
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Aaron Nola

The Mets' biggest need heading in to 2024 is pitching. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander were traded away in-season, and the only two surefire rotation options remaining are Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana.

One of the top free agent pitchers that will be available is Phillies starter Aaron Nola. The righty had a down year by his standards, but he still struck out over 200 batters, and he's really shown up when it matters.

Nola was brilliant against the Marlins in the Wild Card Series, allowing only three hits in seven shutout innings to propel the Phils to the next round. He then got the win in Wednesday's pivotal Game 3 against Atlanta, striking out nine while holding the Braves to two runs in a 10-2 win.

It will take a substantial investment to land Nola's services, but after spending his entire career in Philly, would he be willing to jump ship to the Mets? Perhaps more importantly, would the Phillies be willing to let him go?

Nola's success this postseason, especially if it continues to the NLCS and beyond, will make it difficult to envision him leaving the only team he's ever known. The Mets have been rumored to be all-in on Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and with Steve Cohen not committing to a repeat of last offseason's spending spree, Nola landing in New York may be a long shot.