5 Mets DH options to sign in free agency not named Shohei Ohtani

One position the New York Mets need to strongly consider upgrading this offseason is the DH spot as Mets designated hitters rank 19th in the majors with a 102 WRC+. Daniel Vogelbach has finished strongly, but his limitations strongly outweigh the offense he sometimes brings against right-handed pitching. Mark Vientos has had a great month of September but doesn't have the body of work to be handed a guaranteed starting job.

Shohei Ohtani is the obvious DH candidate the Mets should be trying to get this offseason. He might not be able to pitch in 2024, but this season has been one of, if not the best hitter in the game. He'd instantly make the Mets offense one of the league's best if he was added to the middle of this lineup.

While Ohtani is the dream addition, it's easy to say it's unlikely to come to fruition. He's been rumored to prefer the west coast, and also wants to play with a contender. While we hope the Mets compete in 2024 and beyond, they failed to reach their lofty expectations this season and have made the postseason just once so far under Steve Cohen.

If their Ohtani pursuit fails, the Mets can still look to upgrade their DH spot with any of these five candidates.

1) NY Mets DH option to pursue in free agency: Justin Turner

The Mets made the mistake of non-tendering Justin Turner 10 years ago and watched him blossom into one of the game's best third basemen with the Dodgers. The Mets had a chance to improve their DH spot this offseason by bringing Turner back but passed on him again and Turner wound up in Boston.

So far for the Red Sox this season, Turner has slashed .279/.349/.464 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 140 games. He's primarily been the DH but has made appearances at first base, second base, and third base. He can play all three in a pinch if the need is there, giving the Mets more flexibility than they had with Vogelbach who plays no games in the field.

Turner's age is a bit concerning as he'd be entering his age-39 season, but with how good he continues to be, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't hit for a year or two. He's had an OPS+ of at least 117 in each season since 2013.

3) NY Mets DH option to pursue in free agency: Jorge Soler

One reason the Miami Marlins have remained in postseason contention despite such a lackluster offense is one of just a couple of consistent bats they have. Jorge Soler. The 31-year-old who once led the American League with 48 home runs for the Royals in 2019 has had an unbelievable year for the Marlins.

Soler, while acting primarily as the Marlins DH, is slashing .245/.337/.518 with 36 home runs and 73 RBI in 131 games. His first season with Miami was derailed by injuries, but he's bounced back nicely and has turned back into one of the game's most feared sluggers. He's hit 36 home runs despite playing half his games at the very pitcher-friendly Loan Depot Park.

While Soler has had some monstrous power seasons, he's most remembered for his World Series performance as a member of the Braves in 2021. Soler won the World Series MVP award, hitting three home runs in six games including the key shot in the clincher.

Soler will be entering his age 32 season and has a player option worth $9 million for the 2024 campaign that he's sure to decline. Adding him on a two or three-year deal to mash home runs out of the DH spot feels like a no-brainer for a Mets team that could use more pop.

4) NY Mets DH option to pursue in free agency: Teoscar Hernandez

Teoscar Hernandez is one of baseball's most consistent power hitters that doesn't get a ton of recognition. He's knocked at least 25 home runs in each of the last four full seasons played, winning two Silver Sluggers in the process.

The Blue Jays made the surprising decision to move on from Hernandez this past offseason, sending him to Seattle in a trade. It took a while for the 30-year-old to adjust, but he's had a really strong second half and has been a huge reason Seattle has fought their way back into the postseason race.

His full-season stats appear to be rock-solid. He's slashing .262/.310/.444 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI. You'd like for his OBP and OPS to be a tick higher, but that kind of run production would really help this Mets lineup.

Hernandez has been more of an outfielder than a regular DH, but he's historically been a poor defender despite a much better defensive season this year. He's younger than most of the other quality options as he'll be entering his age 31 season, and would be a good fit.

5) NY Mets DH option to pursue in free agency: Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins is a player Mets fans are obviously very familiar with as he's spent all six years of his career with the Phillies. Unfortunately, Hoskins went down in Spring Training with a Torn ACL and has missed the entire season. Barring a surprise comeback in the postseason, it feels very likely that he's played his last game with the Phillies.

Considering the fact that Hoskins missed the entire year, the chances of him landing the big free agent contract he's been dreaming of appear slim. Signing Hoskins, a big power threat who gets on base at a high clip, to a one-year prove-it deal makes a ton of sense.

When last seen in 2022, he slashed .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs and 79 RBI. His .794 OPS was the lowest mark of his career by a considerable margin, yet he still had a very solid 123 OPS+. When at his best, Hoskins takes a ton of pitches, draws a lot of walks, and has enormous power. He can fit in virtually anywhere in a lineup because of his on-base ability, and his power, of course, would come in handy.

Hoskins is primarily a first baseman but has not historically been a great defender. He'd fit in nicely as the DH for a year as he attempts to build his value ahead of a bigger free agency payday in the not-too-distant future.