Predicting what the Mets roster looks like one year from today

The New York Mets are not in competition this 2023 after putting together the roster with the highest payroll in baseball history. The team decided to sell some of their rental players and their two aces to increase the value of their farm system to create more sustainability in the organization in the future.

Steve Cohen said that these moves don't preclude us from being very competitive next year, he reckons he will be opportunistic over the winter to keep the team competitive. In this sense, Shohei Ohtani may be off the Mets' radar but the team can assemble a good roster for 2024 and beyond, taking into consideration the ETA of the top prospects in their farm system.

The Mets lineup would be similar to this year, with some balances of power and platoon split considerations

Despite fan frustration over the inconsistency of the team's offense, the Mets have a good core of players with the ability to produce. However, the team needs to combine young talent with power in search of balancing a lineup that did not produce as expected in 2024.

1. CF Brandon Nimmo 
2. 2B Jeff McNeil
3. SS Francisco Lindor
4. 1B Pete Alonso
5. DH Joey Gallo
6. C Francisco Alvarez
7. 3B Brett Baty
8. LF Ronny Mauricio
9. RF Starling Marte

One correct route for the Mets is to promote Ronny Mauricio. The top prospect could play LF once he settles into the position and rotates with Jeff McNeil at second base or even Brett Baty at third. Likewise, the lineup has suffered a drop in production due to a lack of power after Daniel Vogelbach's failed experiment as DH.

The Mets may opt to sign Joey Gallo to a one-year deal who continues to maintain a top power contact in the league. His batting average has never been high, but his power allows him to be a regular with the Mets, especially against right-handers, leaving space for Mark Vientos to be the DH against left-handed where he has the best split numbers and can cover first base on some occasions.

Being opportunistic, the team can push the best matchup in their lineups to improve their production. Likewise, in terms of defense, the Mets need an outfielder who can rotate between LF, CF, and RF, and who can produce.

In this sense, the Mets could sign Kevin Kiermaier to a one-year deal with a club option for 2025. He is still top of the league in defense to cover the outfield from the bench and sometimes plays against right-handed pitchers. The team bench would be complemented by Omar Narvaez, one between Vientos and Gallo, and Luis Guillorme as the backup infielder.

The bullpen would have known reinforcements

One of the reasons for the team's debacle this season has been the bullpen. Since the loss of Edwin Diaz to injury, the team has been unable to find consistency in its relief staff beyond Brooks Raley or David Robertson.

One of the biggest reinforcements in the bullpen for 2024 would be Diaz. MLB's top closer in 2022 would be back with the team creating an immediate bullpen boost and increasing the team's chances of winning games.

However, the team lacks two figures in its bullpen, one setup man reliever, who can be an option in high-leverage situations and a middle reliever with enough stuff to serve as a bridge in a sixth or seventh inning.

1. LRP David Peterson
2. MRP Drew Smith
3. MRP Trevor Gott
4. MRP José Leclerc
5. MRP Adam Ottavino
6. SETUP Brooks Raley
7. SETUP David Robertson
8. Closer Edwin Diaz

One option for the Mets is to sign David Robertson to another one-year deal. Robertson argued how comfortable he felt with the team and there is mutual interest in a return. The Mets' closer in the first half of 2023 would be an ideal setup man to combine with Raley and serve as a holder for Edwin Diaz.

Additionally, the team has Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, and Trevor Gott as controllable options for 2024, so they would be complementing the bullpen. Also, David Peterson, who has shown good results so far as a reliever, could be the option as a long reliever and occasional pitcher against lefties.

Ultimately the Mets would need another reliable option in the bullpen. The team can be creative and get José Lecrec via trade in the offseason or next year's trade deadline. Leclerc was a top closer but has lost position in Texas, so the team does not have this reliever in the long term.

To have a former closer like Lecrec in the Mets bullpen would be ideal for a pitcher in a sixth or seventh inning. The reliever induces one of the weakest and poorest contacts in the league thanks to his fastball and a slider that has hit me below .100 in recent seasons.

The Mets can reshape their bullpen without overpaying or committing long-term to other relievers, a dangerous position due to its volatility. Likewise, Drew Smith and Trevor Gott could have better years after their regression in 2023, being able to pitch in situations other than high leverage.