Potential Mets free agents after the 2023 season

Oct 7, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar (10) reacts
Oct 7, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar (10) reacts | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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4) Potential NY Mets free agents after the 2023 season: Eduardo Escobar

The Mets made three signings on Black Friday last offseason as they inked Mark Canha, Starling Marte, and Escobar all on that exciting day. Escobar got off to a really nice start as a Met and seemed to get on base at will before going through a four-month slump that was hard to watch.

Escobar finally caught fire in September and finished the season very strongly, winning the hearts of Mets fans in the process. Even with how well he finished, a starting job is not promised. Mets third base prospect Brett Baty should be fully healthy and ready to go for Opening Day.

Whether Baty makes the team or not is up in the air, but if he does, he won't be sitting on the bench. Baty would at the very least get the starts against right-handed pitching. If Baty isn't ready for a full-time role this season for some reason, he surely will be in 2024.

Escobar has a $9 million dollar club option for the 2024 season. I think it's very unlikely the Mets exercise that option. Escobar should be headed to free agency.

5) Potential NY Mets free agents after the 2023 season: Mark Canha

Mark Canha was another one of the Black Friday signings the Mets made. He had a nice year for the Mets. He stayed healthy, drew a bunch of walks (and hit by pitches), and played a decent left field. Where Canha disappointed was the power department as he only hit 13 home runs. He's hit as many as 26 in a season before.

Canha has a $12.16 million dollar club option that I'm honestly not sure what the Mets will opt to do with. If Canha has another healthy year and puts up a .360 OBP with some added power they probably exercise the option. If he gets hurt and struggles to hit for power, it's less likely.

The Mets don't have a sure answer in left field for 2024 like they do at third base.

Obviously, the hope here is that Canha has a monster year and the Mets are forced to excercize the option. It'll be interesting to see how that one plays out.

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