NY Mets Roster: 3 improvements to make them World Series favorites

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If the New York Mets want to win the 2022 World Series, they’re going to need to make some improvements to the roster. Don’t get me wrong. They’re in pretty good shape right now. There is no need for a complete overhaul. The farm system doesn’t need to be ripped apart to make them credible contenders.

Nevertheless, the trade deadline will provide the Mets with opportunities to reach outside of the organization or help. Even the seemingly most dominant teams use that period to get better. The 2022 Mets will be no exception.

So what does the Mets roster need to become the clear World Series favorites aside from getting all of their starting pitchers back? Sticking in the realm of possibility and probability, these three types of players to the ball club would make them a whole lot better.

The Mets need a power bat in the middle of their lineup

It’s looking like Francisco Lindor may not have his best home run swing available this year nor will Eduardo Escobar. Each has faced some adversity early on this season. The only two guys who could come close to matching Pete Alonso’s power may need some help in the form of a new power bat in the middle of the lineup.

The Mets often go out seeking a home run hitter midyear. In 2015, it was Yoenis Cespedes. The next year, Jay Bruce. Then we saw them do the same with Javier Baez in 2021. This summer, yet another slugger could be headed to New York.

His exact position remains to be seen but the Mets may simply need to bolster the DH spot. A first baseman/corner outfielder type player could work. If they’re lucky, a guy like Mark Vientos gets promoted and takes on this role. If they’re luckier, players like J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith figure it out, step up, and start crushing baseballs.

The threat of a home run doesn’t run too deeply within the Mets lineup. It’s something worth addressing.

The Mets need another high-leverage reliever

Exactly how many high-leverage relievers the Mets will need remains unknown. This depends entirely on how players are performing near the trade deadline and how healthy they are, too. The club is currently dealing with a few issues. Some strong early starts from a couple of guys have also begun to fade as they are looking penetrable.

Ideally, it would be great if the Mets could get a high-leverage left-handed reliever. It probably won’t matter how well Joely Rodriguez and/or Chasen Shreve pitch. The amount of trust fans will have in them to get big outs late and in the postseason isn’t there. The same could be said about many of the righties.

If all holds well for the Mets, they won’t need to overpay for the best relievers available this summer. That’s something a bullpen in complete disarray would have to do. More than likely, it’s a fine and finishing touch this club will be seeking.

Whether it’s a closer from a bad team or a guy having an inexplicably awesome year as a setup man, expect the Mets to be in the market to add to their bullpen. It’s the hardest part of a Major League Baseball roster to build. The trade deadline gives every GM a chance to tinker a little bit.

The Mets need a bench player that can hit

Unfortunately, any plans of J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith giving the Mets a pair of dangerous bats off the bench seem to be evaporating. Each has struggled in their own ways this season. Maybe the lack of frequent and consistent playing time has harmed them. If so, it’s hard to justify starting them more often when they aren’t even hitting in the opportunities they do get.

Building a bench can be difficult because if a guy is good enough he should be starting. Finding the right bench pieces often involves searching for role-players rather than someone who can play 5 or 6 times a week like the most optimistic of fans believed Davis and Smith could.

The Mets do have a guy like this already on their bench. Travis Jankowski is the perfect role player. His early success with the team will probably fade but as a defensive replacement and pinch-running option, he should manage to stay with the club.

The Mets do need a little more offense from their bench. Is there a Lenny Harris or a Matt Stairs out there? What about a Rusty Staub redux—a veteran near the end of his career simply looking for the occasional spot start or pinch-hitting opportunity?

With the Mets getting barely anything out of the catcher spot on offense, it could help to have a professional hitter available to step up to the plate in a big situation late in the game. Even if the guy is a defensive liability and moves like he’s dragging Yadier Molina sitting on a tire behind him, it’s a piece to this roster the team needs to search for.

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