3 free agents the Mets should sign ASAP, 2 they should let go somewhere else

Free agency has finally picked up some steam, but the New York Mets remain as quiet as ever. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is off the board. Other arms they could've been interested in like Lucas Giolito and Frankie Montas have signed elsewhere. Where the Mets go from here and how they plan on being somewhat competitive in 2024 remains to be seen. There's a lot of work David Stearns has to do.

There are still some quality players out there, but options are falling off the board at a rapid pace. The Mets have a bevy of holes to fill, in desperate need of pitching help in both the rotation and bullpen, a DH, and a left fielder at the bare minimum.

While it's important for the Mets to finally get going on some moves before there's nothing left, Stearns has to make the right moves. Here are three targets he should be pursuing and two others who have been linked to the Mets at certain times but don't make much sense.

The Mets should sign Justin Turner ASAP

The Mets need DH help if they want to be competitive. Sure, they can put Mark Vientos there if they want, but they can't claim that they're seriously competing if they put a guy who had a .620 OPS this past season at DH regularly. Justin Turner on the other hand, would be a massive upgrade.

Despite turning 39 years old last month, Turner is one of the best hitters available. He won't fetch a monster contract because of his age, but that doesn't change the fact that he's one of the more productive hitters out there that New York can realistically acquire.

This past season for Boston, the former Met slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI. He's the perfect hitter to slot behind Pete Alonso in the heart of the order and not only provide protection, but drive in runs. Turner has been a clutch hitter throughout his career, and can add another run producer that this team desperately needs.

What makes Turner more appealing than a guy like J.D. Martinez is he can play the field if needed. The Mets saw firsthand how limiting it can be to have a DH that can't play the field in Daniel Vogelbach for the last season and a half. Turner saw time at three of the four infield positions, and provides excellent insurance at third base if the Mets need it. He'd be their primary DH, but can play the field if called upon.

In all likelihood, Turner would only be a one-year commitment making him either a key piece to the Mets playoff push in 2024, or a juicy piece for them to part with at the deadline. He makes the most sense out of any free agent that remains.