New York Mets should sign Jose Abreu and use him at designated hitter

One of the weaker areas that the New York Mets need to address this winter is the obvious glaring hole at the designated hitter position. While Daniel Vogelbach provided a serviceable piece for the Mets after being acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the Trade Deadline, the revolving door at DH that included J.D. Davis, Dom Smith, Darin Ruf, Mark Vientos, and even Robinson Cano at one point at the beginning of the season was largely unsuccessful.

This is where free-agent slugger Jose Abreu comes into the equation for the Mets. I believe the Mets should be looking for a proven Major League hitter with a proven track record to slot into the designated hitter role next season. While Abreu will be 36 years old at the start of the 2023 campaign, the three-time American League All-Star and former MVP has not yet shown signs of slowing down with the bat and it shouldn't take more than a two-year deal to lock him up this offseason.

Mets free agent target Jose Abreu should be near the top of the list

It's also fair to wonder at this point in his career if Abreu is looking to join a contender as he approaches the tail end of his career, and Queens would be an enticing option for him should the opportunity present itself. Last season with the Chicago White Sox, Abreu hit .304 with 15 home runs and 75 RBIs to go with a 4.2 WAR n 157 games last season. While his power numbers took a bit of a dip last season as Abreu had a career-low 15 home runs, his batting average was tied for the second-highest of his career, and he also struck out at a career-low 16.2% clip. The 40 doubles he roped in 2022 also were the second-highest number of his career.

Another huge advantage of having Abreu in a Mets jersey next season would also mean that Manager Buck Showalter would not have to revert back to a platoon at DH, as the slugging Cuban had a robust batting average of .294 against left-handed pitching and .307 against right-handed pitching last season. Abreu has been the definition of consistency at the plate throughout his nine-year career, and for an organization in win-now mode looking General Manager, Billy Eppler would be hard-pressed to find another hitter with a track record of Abreu's on the free agent market this winter.

MLB Trade Rumors predicts Abreu would net a two-year $40 million deal this offseason with the Chicago Cubs being the predicted landing spot for his services. I believe there will be multiple teams interested in acquiring Abreu's proven bat this offseason and the Mets should certainly be one of them as they have eyes on another World Series run in 2023.

Interestingly enough, Abreu's 4.2 WAR last season would rank third on last season's Mets team only behind Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo. For a team looking for consistency out of the DH position next season, there may not be a better fit than the offensive firepower that Abreu provides and he would fit nicely in the middle of the Mets lineup next summer.