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2 Mets role changes to expect early next year, 1 to hold off on making too soon

Two Mets players look geared for a role change next year with another on the cusp if he doesn't prove himself.

By Tim Boyle |
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New York Mets v Kansas City Royals / Ed Zurga/GettyImages
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The 2024 New York Mets will wear orange and blue. The players who wear those classic team colors might be vastly different. Even some of those who are back could see themselves with much different roles than they had in 2023.

Change hits us all in a different way. Some of us are much more open to it. Others feel like change is literal coins smacking us in the face. The Mets could clearly use a shake-up with the entire roster. It can start simply by redefining some roles.

Two Mets players look bound to eventually shift into a different role. Another is debatable and may eventually get there, too. For now, the Mets should hold off on making any changes with him.

NY Mets can go back to using Jeff McNeil in more of a utility role

Second base could get crowded soon enough. The addition of Luisangel Acuna to the farm system brings the Mets a youthful infielder many believe will be in the majors at some point next season. Opening Day is ambitious. By the time you’re gotten your first electric bill that made you gasp, Acuna could be in the everyday lineup.

Where does this leave Jeff McNeil? The Mets just signed him to an extension. He’s a debatable trade candidate. The Mets should shop him, but not give in for anything short of thievery on their behalf. 

The timeline could have McNeil starting the year at second base and giving way to Acuna once he’s ready. After, McNeil goes back to floating around the field. He is no longer the Mets starting second baseman. He becomes an everyday player we see all over the field.

A big question mark for the Mets next year is what they do in the two corner outfield spots. Starling Marte is still here and under contract. Left field could be where Brett Baty eventually ends up. Things can get crowded very quickly and there’s a solution. It involves Marte.

NY Mets need to move Starling Marte into the DH role more regularly if he sticks around

Saying goodbye to Starling Marte is on the offseason agenda yet not very likely. He has too much money owed to him. After a disappointing 2023 season filled with injuries, it’s going to be tough to move him even if Steve Cohen eats the contract.

The best course is to make Marte less of an everyday right fielder and more of a corner outfielder who also gets a lot of starts as the DH. Of course, he’ll need to earn those DH starts. We don’t need another year of the Mets squandering this spot in the lineup.

This is the type of role change the Mets should have in mind immediately. Marte is no longer a good defender. Moving completely out of right field and into left field should be under consideration right now. The one problem there is it blocks Baty from getting his outfield reps in. Could the two swap starts in left field and in the DH spot? Put McNeil in right field and have Acuna at second base.

When the Mets signed Marte there was thought he’d become the new starting center fielder. He has barely touched the position with Brandon Nimmo securing himself as the superior of the two on defense. To get the most out of an aging and oft-injury Marte, regular half-days should be a part of the plan next year.

NY Mets shouldn’t rush to move Tylor Megill into a permanent bullpen role

Does Tylor Megill have what it takes to be a big league starter? Just when it looks like he does, he doesn’t.

The obvious transition for Megill would be to move him to the bullpen. The Mets could certainly use the arms as soon as next season. However, because of how many starting pitchers it does take to get through the season, a role change for Megill is unnecessarily premature. He hasn’t obliterated all hope of becoming a competent starting rotation depth piece. Having him lengthened out to at least begin the season is the best way to handle him.

Things can change. If Megill stinks up the joint in the majors or minors as a starting pitcher, the Mets might benefit more in the long run to make the transition. 

It does feel like the team will go into next season with either Megill or David Peterson in the planned rotation. We can’t expect them to sign and/or trade for three big league starters, can we? If it didn’t work in 2023, how much would lesser arms that don’t cost $40+ million do for the club?

Next year could start as the final chance for Megill to show the Mets he belongs as a starter in some capacity. If things go south, both sides should be open to seeing what he can offer in a new role.

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