The biggest offseason challenges for the Mets this winter

3) NY Mets challenge: Improving the starting lineup with many returning players

Pitching additions are the focus for the Mets. They can conceivably field a team for next season with what they have in-house with one exception: they need a starting position player somewhere.

Jeff McNeil’s flexibility has some fans already wondering if the team can move him to a corner outfield spot and then shift Starling Marte to center field. The plan, if Brandon Nimmo leaves, is for the team to go all in by signing Trea Turner. The Mets might be a better team for it.

If it’s not Turner, the Mets should, at the very least, seek a corner outfielder. And what about a platoon partner for Daniel Vogelbach? His place on the roster is curious because of his limited defensive abilities. Do we really begin the season with him in a platoon yet again? It was an absolute failure in 2022 even with Vogelbach performing pretty well.

The Mets won’t sign Aaron Judge and Trea Turner just doesn’t seem too realistic when he has so many other suitors out there. Free agency, or maybe even a trade, can offer the team with some more realistic options.

For the most part, we should see a very similar Mets starting lineup next season. Whomever they do add needs to be the right man for the job.