3 monster free agent targets to bolster the Mets lineup not named Aaron Judge

It was a one-hit loss that ended the 2022 New York Mets season. While many of their best free agents are pitchers, the Mets will also need to address a starting lineup in need of some tweaking.

There is quite a lot of maneuvering the Mets can without subtracting much from the roster. The DH spot is important to bolster but so are a few other areas. The team just didn’t have quite enough in their batting order to put up a strong enough fight.

It’s Aaron Judge who should top every team’s list of dream position players to sign. Aside from him, there are three other free agent hitters for Billy Eppler to consider signing.

1) NY Mets fans are already imaging Trea Turner in this lineup

A longtime enemy of the Mets because of his days with the Washington Nationals, Trea Turner becomes a free agent this offseason. Although he is a shortstop and that position is locked up in Flushing with Francisco Lindor signed, second base is always an option.

Turner hit .298/.343/.466 this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers while hitting 21 home runs and driving in 100. All of this was also done with 27 stolen bases.

Needless to say, there is some fallout to consider with this signing. Second baseman Jeff McNeil would have to move but with a strong performance in the corner outfield spots, there is a place for him other than his usual spot.

Turner would be a dream signing and most likely not one we’d see the Mets make. If he or McNeil could play third base instead, it might make a little bit more sense although even then it could become a little tricky.

One final consideration: what if Mark Canha and/or Starling Marte gets used more often as a DH? Canha can also play first base and give Pete Alonso plenty of starts at the hitter-exclusive spot in the lineup.

There are ways to make Turner fit. If the Mets want him, it won’t take too much shuffling to get it right.

2) NY Mets can find a DH option with Jose Abreu

Let’s say the Mets don’t think they already have their everyday DH. Then what? Free agency offers some nice options. One of the better is Jose Abreu.

Abreu has spent his entire MLB career with the Chicago White Sox but is expected to end up elsewhere this offseason. The Mets, who have the DH spot wide open and are in need of a righty that can kill lefty pitchers, could be a match.

Abreu does turn 36 in January and saw his power numbers cut in half from his career averages. The 2020 American League MVP did, however, manage to slash .304/.378/.446 while knocking 40 doubles and another 15 home runs. The power may be disappearing but the bat remains a productive one.

As a middle of the order bat, Abreu could supply the Mets with some big extra-base hits. He’d have to settle for a shorter deal than Turner due to his age. The demand should be high even if his power totals are on the decline. He has been a consistent run-producer since making his MLB debut in 2014. The Mets would gain an everyday DH and can finally stop this nonsense of platooning part-time players at one of the most important spots in the starting lineup.