The dream Mets starting lineup for the 2024 season

Batting eighth for the dream Mets is second baseman Jeff McNeil

Jeff McNeil is one of the toughest players to find a spot for in the real life Mets starting lineup. He’s somewhere between the top of the order and bottom but not a middle of the order bat. So where does he belong?

At least for this lineup, eighth is the only reasonable place to put him. Alvarez needs to bat ahead of him to avoid three consecutive lefties. There needs to be some sort of a break.

Imagine how effective this lineup could be with a player like McNeil, someone capable of hitting over .300, way down in the number eight spot. He’ll get a chance to help set the table at the bottom of the order. The pressure is completely off of him to be one of the leaders of the team.

It’s hard to make a case for him to hit much higher unless you’d be willing to have him bat behind Bellinger. Perhaps having Alonso bat fifth is one option although it would mean Soto and Ohtani stepping up to the plate back-to-back. Surely, they can handle it, right?

Either way, McNeil remains present on the dream Mets roster and knocked down a spot in the lineup. You may have already drawn some conclusions about where some of the other Mets land. Starling Marte is either with another team or an expensive bench piece. We only have one more position to fill. Who is the dream third baseman?