Mets DH options for the 2023 season: Platoons, big signings, and other strategies

National League General Managers have one more position to consider these days. The universal DH adds an extra needed bat to the lineup even if it isn’t necessarily a player who is exclusive to this role. The New York Mets failed mightily in this department during the 2022 season. Among their offseason needs is to address this spot properly.

What should they do?

There are plenty of directions for Billy Eppler to go. Let’s examine each of them and add a few names into the mix.

1) NY Mets can stick with a Daniel Vogelbach platoon

This doesn’t seem so appealing but it’s easy, cost-effective, and can work if the right-handed half of the platoon performs. In fact, the Mets don’t have to do all that much to make a DH platoon with Daniel Vogelbach effective. The team has already decided to keep Vogelbach around by picking up his $1.5 million option for 2023. Does this guarantee he's in a DH platoon? Not necessarily but probably.

Francisco Alvarez could be ready for regular MLB at-bats even if he isn’t the everyday catcher. Against lefties, the team could start him as the DH regularly. They could do the same with someone like Mark Vientos if he’s still with the organization. I have my doubts he will be.

Another internal option could be to simply rotate through several of the righty hitters on the roster. Starling Marte and Mark Canha could use more starts at the DH spot. So could Pete Alonso. Even Eduardo Escobar, especially with Brett Baty making his way to third base as a big leaguer, would be a candidate.

This doesn’t mean the Mets should ignore other areas. Perhaps adding a left-handed hitting outfielder with power is something to consider. He could start games regularly in one of the corner spots over Canha to add an extra threat.

Given how the results of this plan worked out in 2022, I’m kind of against it. Something tells me this is what the Mets do end up doing, though—at least until the trade deadline.

2) NY Mets can look for another everyday DH in free agency or a trade

I probably wouldn’t trade for a DH in the offseason. Signing one is a different story. There are some guys out there. J.D. Martinez is coming off of a low-power, high average season. So is Jose Abreu. Abreu is more likely to see action in the field than Martinez whose days as an outfielder seem to have passed by completely.

Abreu as the Mets DH is a huge improvement over Vogelbach. He wouldn’t get stuck playing only half of the games either. The idea of having an everyday DH over a platoon is far more appealing. There’s no second-guessing the manager.

Abreu saw his power numbers dip a lot last season but he hit over .300 and continued to drive in runs. He’d be worth a high one or two-year deal. As for Vogelbach, the Mets would dispose of him. He’s taking up too much space in this situation.

There are other players to look at, too. Josh Bell is a first baseman who can play some corner outfield. Anthony Rizzo is an unlikely candidate yet not impossible one to end up with the Mets.

The thing about the DH spot is that there are so many directions to go. The Mets could even do something amazing and sign Trea Turner to become the starting second baseman and have a different DH every game.

A free agent signing for the DH spot or moving someone else there regularly seems to be a pretty great plan. Vogelbach's contract isn't a lot. The Mets should be open to other options. Likely, players of starting quality are now off the board.