3 Mets rival free agent signings they should've made instead

These three free agent signings by Mets rivals could have made sense for the Amazins, too.

Feb 24, 2024; Dunedin, Florida, USA;  Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield (9) looks
Feb 24, 2024; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield (9) looks / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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The National League East remains one of the better divisions in baseball. Entering a season where four teams could conceivably contend for a playoff spot (sorry Washington Nationals), the offseason has included several free agent additions to the division beyond just all of the players added to the New York Mets roster.

These three free agent signings by Mets rivals stand out most as the trio of deals that could have made the most sense for the Amazins. Jealous? Maybe a little bit. For the price and what they bring to the field, each would have been a welcomed fit on the Mets roster if the club went in a different direction at some positions.

1) The Mets should’ve signed Whit Merrifield

A little redundant with Jeff McNeil on the roster, signing Whit Merrifield does have its benefits. The Mets have more flexibility with the defensive alignment than anyone could ever dream to have. A second baseman and experienced corner outfielder, the Mets could have had plenty of room for crazy experiments as the season progressed. Carrying three catchers would be possible. Having a DH that never plays the field can happen, too.

Although no longer the same dazzling speedster he was from his days with the Kansas City Royals or a guy who’ll lead the league in hits ever again, Merrifield is still a productive everyday utility player graduating from the School of Ben Zobrist. The Philadelphia Phillies managed to pick him up this offseason for a favorable $7 million owed in 2024 and an $8 million payday on a team option for 2025.

Put Merrifield on the Mets and he’s probably the starting left fielder. If you’re of the mindset that the Mets overpaid for Harrison Bader—a thought that is becoming my whole identity as a living being—you may even be on board with them having chosen Merrifield instead.

2) The Mets should’ve signed Adam Duvall

Adam Duvall ended up back with the Atlanta Braves for only $3 million. A candidate to join the Mets this offseason as an outfielder/DH candidate, he’ll instead go back to Atlanta where he seems to always end up.

Duvall signing for such an affordable deal seems to be the result of some regular injuries over the last two seasons. Unable to stay on the field, it’s explainable why so many teams passed on him. The Braves view him as a backup or pairing to have alongside Jarred Kelenic whose own history with the Mets organization is the subject of plenty debate.

Even after the Mets ended up signing Harrison Bader to a ridiculously high $10.5 million price tag, Duvall made sense. The issue may have been the front office didn’t view him as enough of an upgrade over DJ Stewart. Duvall had a decision in the matter as well. Going back to Atlanta, a place of comfort, and having an undoubtedly better chance of winning surely played a factor.

3) The Mets should’ve signed Eddie Rosario

Eddie Rosario feels like one of the biggest free agent snubs of the offseason. Younger than Merrifield and Duvall, he ended up with the Washington Nationals on a split contract worth $2 million with another $2 million of incentives. Rosario was healthy last year, hammered 21 home runs, and was a Gold Glove finalist in left field. How did he pass through the league and end up with a rebuilding ball club on such an affordable contract?

Rosario might’ve fit with the Mets even better than Merrifield and Duvall. Merrifield’s redundancy with Jeff McNeil on the roster and Duvall’s lack of durability for two straight seasons can justifiably point the Mets in a different direction. Merrifield, at his price, seems fairer than the kind of steal Rosario could end up being for Washington.

Up through the time he signed with the Nationals, Rosario still made sense for the Mets. The left-handed hitting outfielder could have started regularly against righties over Bader. Brandon Nimmo could play center field in those games and allow the other two to battle it out for playing time as the season progresses. The Mets never made any strong hint of wavering from a planned outfield consisting of Nimmo in left field, Bader in center field, and Starling Marte as the right fielder.

For depth and maybe even an opportunity to win a starting job, Rosario was someone the Mets should have sought to add.

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