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3 musts for the Mets to take a step forward in 2024
The New York Mets had a disappointing season in 2023: the team had a high ceiling going into the season, but they failed to even make the playoffs For a team with World Series expectations, aspirations, and a record payroll, there's no doubt this was underwhelming.
Now, as other MLB teams get their postseason underway, the Mets start to turn their attention to 2024. It started with firing manager Buck Showalter and appointing David Stearns as the President of Baseball Operations on Monday. There will be some huge changes for New York by Opening Day next year and fans need to buckle up for the offseason.
Moreover, the Mets need to take a step forward in 2024. With the talent on the roster, a 75-87 record was unacceptable. In 2024, the team will aim to take a step forward. This might not mean a World Series, but making the postseason and playing meaningful baseball needs to be the floor.
In order to have success in 2024, there are a few major things that need to happen for the Mets. If these three things all come to fruition, look for a much more successful and fun season come next year.
The Mets need better pitching behind Kodai Senga
One of the most positive developments for New York in 2023 was Kodai Senga, who established himself as an ace for the Mets. Senga finished the season with a 12-7 record, 2.98 record and 202 strikeouts; he also became the second Mets rookie pitcher ever to have 200+ strikeouts, Dwight Gooden being the other.
But, as the Mets learned this season, one pitcher cannot get it done. This is why New York faltered throughout the season. Whether it was Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander before they were both shipped to Texas and Houston, David Peterson, Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill, or someone else, consistency was an issue for the Mets pitching staff.
The hope is Senga can put up a similar year next season - he emerged as one of the top pitchers in the MLB during his rookie year and this is a strong foundation to build on - but the Mets need better pitching behind him. Whether this comes from a combination of Peterson, Megill and others or new pitchers brought in during the offseason, the Mets need a strong staff.
In many of their successful years, such as 2015 and 2016, the Mets built their team around a strong staff, which included Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom (before he was a Cy Young winner), Steven Matz and more. All were able to be reliable as the Mets made it to the postseason. This is the same with 2022, where Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker and Carrasco made up a great staff before getting Cy Young deGrom back. This was one of the best staffs in baseball in 2022.
The message is clear: not only the Mets, but any team, needs good pitching to have successful seasons. For New York, it starts with bolstering the staff behind Senga.
The Mets need Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso to replicate their stellar seasons and get help from others
Right now, the Mets have two solidified offensive stars who are two of the best in the MLB. Francisco Lindor became the first Mets' shortsop ever to reach the 30/30 mark while also leading all shortstops in RBI. Alonso, on the other hand, hit 46 home runs along with 118 RBI, which led the team.
Offensively, these are the two best players on the team, and in order for the Mets to have a more successful season next year, it starts with them replicating these seasons. While there are questions around Alonso's future, David Stearns said he expects him to be on the roster come Opening Day. Alonso and Lindor should be cornerstones for the Mets for years to come.
Moreover, the Mets need other players to have above average seasons. Whether it is Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo or someone else, there needs to be offensive production outside of Alonso and Lindor. Maybe Starling Marte can have a bounceback year? Don't count on it, but the Mets need some outside production that does not come from their stars.
Offensively, there is another way the Mets can get some production that is not from their veterans.
The Baby Mets take a step forward and new rookies emerge
One exciting factor of the Mets' 2023 season was their youth, specifically the "Baby Mets." Some youngsters, in particular Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and late in the season Ronny Mauricio, had menaingful playing time for the Mets this season. All provided exciting moments but at the same time were unable to find consistency at the plate.
For these players, taking a step forward needs to be a primary concern during the offseason. All have potential - look at Alvarez, who was third on the team with 25 home runs, even though he went a month without hitting one and was not doing anything at the plate. If he is able to build on this and be consistent, who says he can't take a step forward? The same has to be said with the other youngsters. Baty, Mauricio and Vientos all boast power and the hope is they can become day-to-day features in the Mets lineup.
Additionally, the Mets were able to bring in some exciting prospects at the trade deadline, including Luisangel Acuña and Drew Gilbet. All provided highlights for the Mets' minor league teams throughout August and September, and if they are able to continue this, a new manager might want to look at them in the big leagues. The Mets with no doubt bolstered their farm system and youth production could be huge for the team come 2024.
Whether it is from the youth that have already seen the big leagues playing more consistently and putting up better numbers or the new additions capitalizing on their opportunities, it provides offensive potential for the Mets in 2024 and beyond.
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