The top 50 most valuable players in the Mets organization right now

5) Most valuable player in the Mets organization - Justin Verlander

Some people might view Verlander as a consolation prize for losing Jacob deGrom, but it is anything but that. Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award last season. He had the best ERA in baseball, the best ERA+ in baseball and the best WHIP in baseball. Sure, he’s 40 years old. But he’s also the best pitcher in baseball still, somehow. He is a freak of nature. deGrom is obviously a franchise legend. He will have his place in the Mets Hall of Fame after he retires. With that said, he also currently has a ton of injury concerns. The better pitcher at this point in time is Verlander, hands down. 

4) Most valuable player in the Mets organization - Francisco Álvarez

It’s one thing to be the No. 3 prospect in baseball. It’s another thing to be the No. 3 prospect as a catcher. The state of the catching position in Major League Baseball is really, really bad. There are very few catchers currently in the game who pose legitimate offensive threats. Álvarez has the potential to be the exception. There might not be anyone across the entire minor leagues who has more power than Álvarez. He walks a ton and while he doesn’t hit for an outstanding average, it’s still better than most. He’ll likely start this season in Triple-A, but he should play a significant role on the Major League club this season — probably as a DH with some catching duties mixed in.

3) Most valuable player in the Mets organization - Brandon Nimmo

Mets fans know just how good Nimmo is. Fans around the league, not so much. There is a real argument to be made that Nimmo is the best center fielder in all of baseball. Not only is he one of the best offensive players at the position, but he is one of the best defensive players as well. The biggest concern is that 2022 was the first time he played basically a full season since 2018. His 151 games were a single-season high, and the only time he was even in triple digits aside from his 140-game 2018 season. The Mets signed him to an 8-year, $162 million extension this offseason, and their biggest key over that span will be keeping him on the field. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best center fielders and one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. 

2) Most valuable player in the Mets organization - Francisco Lindor

This was a tough one. No. 2 and No. 1 can easily be swapped, but there’s no debate about who the two most valuable players in this organization are. Lindor is special. He’s an outstanding fielder at a premium position in shortstop and a rock in the middle of the Mets lineup. Among qualified shortstops last season Lindor’s OPS+ of 125 ranked No. 4 in all of baseball, only behind Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Bo Bichette. Lindor was better than Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, Corey Seager and anyone else. On top of that, none of the three who beat him come close to his defensive ability. Lindor is quite simply the best all-around shortstop in baseball.

1) Most valuable player in the Mets organization - Pete Alonso

Clocking in at No. 1 is the one and only Polar Bear. Sure, he has his defensive limitations, but he plays first base. If there’s any position to be weak on defense, it’s there. He received the edge over Lindor simply because of his bat. Lindor’s is great, but Alonso’s is otherworldly. Since he came into the league in 2019, no one in baseball has more home runs than he does. He is the best power hitter in baseball and a perfect cleanup hitter. He led MLB in RBIs last season and yes, that’s largely opportunity based — but you still have to convert the opportunities. Just going into his age-28 season, the No. 1 priority for the Mets has to be keeping him in a Mets uniform for life. He is a player to put alongside Lindor and Nimmo and build a franchise around. The other two are locked up for the long haul. Now it’s Pete's turn.