3 free agent targets to become the new starting DH

The DH spot dragged the New York Mets down for almost all of 2022. With some exceptions along the way, it was a major weakness of the roster.

Mets DHs didn’t produce much at all this past year. The team must look for upgrades.

In free agency, three players stand out the most as possible targets to sign. None are the prototypical DH-exclusive players like J.D. Martinez or Nelson Cruz. These three can actually play a position or two and give the Mets everyday DH duties plus the occasional start on defense. More importantly, they can hit.

1) NY Mets free agent target to become the starting DH: Jose Abreu

Signing Jose Abreu to a deal this offseason could be huge for the Mets. He actually fits in with exactly what they were missing throughout the 2022 season. The hitters struggled against left-handed pitchers. In his 137 plate appearances against southpaws, Abreu slashed .294/.387/.471. Are you drooling yet?

Abreu is a first baseman who can still play the position well enough to give Pete Alonso the occasional half-day. He’s not horrific on defense but another year closer to 40 could mean his body begins to slow down further.

We’re not signing Abreu for his glove. We’re doing it for his bat.

Abreu hit .304 this past season while seeing his power numbers decline. It’s probably the direction he is headed. However, even with less power, he remains a threat at the plate. If we have to take only 15 home runs but get 40 doubles out of the DH spot to go with a .304/.378/.446 slash line like he had last year, the Mets are in great shape.

3) NY Mets free agent target to become the starting DH: Trey Mancini

A more unappealing option for the Mets could be to sign a guy they were rumored to have interest in at the trade deadline. Trey Mancini had an underwhelming stint with the Houston Astros. It only looks like an option because we know how much worse it could be. See Darin Ruf for more information.

Mancini ended up with a .239/.319/.391 slash line combined with the Baltimore Orioles and Astros. He did hit 18 home runs with the final 8 coming in only 186 plate appearances with Houston.

It’s possible that Mancini is a buy-low candidate in this year’s free agent market. The bad finish might even put him in a spot where he’ll look for a pillow contract. Capable of playing first base and the corner outfield, he’s a little more appealing than some others.

Mancini’s market shouldn’t be all that big this offseason. The Mets could find themselves a bargain. The issue I have here is that they don’t need to look for cheaper alternative. This is Steve Cohen’s Mets. They need the best players possible—not the most affordable ones.

Where Mancini might work best is as the right-handed half of a platoon even if it does end up being with Daniel Vogelbach. He could also see some starts in the field occasionally. Mild positional versatility makes him appealing. Plus, as a guy with a solid reputation in the locker room, he might be able to fit in well. One major question would be if he can thrive in a part-time role or if he’s someone who needs more regular at-bats to get getting.