Mets Add Late in Free Agency
date
Mar 22, 2024
Files & media
slug
mets-add-late
status
Published
tags
Baseball
Mets
summary
The Mets’ plan for the DH spot has been more or less up in the air as we arrive at the final week prior to the start of the 2024 campaign…
type
Post
The Mets’ plan for the DH spot has been more or less up in the air as we arrive at the final week prior to the start of the 2024 campaign.
Mark Vientos and DJ Stewart have been getting ample opportunities in spring training to prove themselves but the position has felt unfulfilled up until this point.
David Sterns has not seen enough output from the possible candidates to not consider bringing in another bat to compete for the role.
But who?
The offseason has offered up a very b-tier yield thus far for the Mets, but it seemed there was a broader plan being adhered to and fans were accepting of that on some level knowing the expectations for the team had been, ostensibly, delayed.
Nevertheless, a week before opening day, Sterns has brought in veteran right handed bat, JD Martinez on a one year $12M deal.
With the signing of Martinez, the middle of our lineup now has more stability, not to mention a veteran presence and mentorship opportunity from a high functioning baseball mind for our young developing bats.
In his prime with Detroit and Boston, JD was an improbable easy out and a force to be reckoned with. Martinez joined Boston in 2018 and up until present day, he has posted an OBP (On base percentage) under .300 just once. This includes 2023 where he experienced a resurgence in home run totals finishing the season at 33 dingers paired with 103 runs batted in.
For a Mets lineup that, outside of Pete Alonso, did not have another player reach the century mark for RBIs in 2023, this fills a clear necessity in clutch hitting.
JD has always been known for being a tough out and delivering in big moments with a large playoff resume to pick from.
The issue involved with Steve Cohen making high impact signings this year has been the looming luxury tax over his head. This is a cheap, team friendly deal, like so many others made this offseason, that benefits the team in the long run and doesn’t tie them up in long contracts. Moreover, the talent and experience the Mets are getting with JD has the potential for a massive impact beyond what any other signing offer.
With that said, countless players on this current roster are not guaranteed anything in 2025. They have to go out and earn their money and respect on the diamond. I believe that can galvanize a group in many aspects.
Analysts with ears to the clubhouse in Port St. Lucie report the atmosphere surrounding the team is high energy and contagious under head coach Carlos Mendoza who has brought a fun aura to the group.
Mendoza, the young, passionate, first time head coach who played the game himself has quickly earned the respect and recognition of many of the players. It feels as if everyone has been pleasantly surprised with his display of leadership and professionalism and I know I am looking forward to watching how he operates in tough situations.
The pitching staff is looking solid and some familiar names will be among the rotation, at least until Senga is healthy. An arm I’m interested in watching this year is Tylor Megill, someone who is one of those familiar names in Queens who’s been a carousel player from triple-a to the majors has certainly earned his spot on the roster this year, appearing much more poised and under control in his spring appearances.
The Mets have a great culture brewing with another piece of the puzzle coming together for 2024. Sterns has me all the way back in on them competing this year following the Martinez move, it may be blind hope but it’s in my nature as a New York sports fan to have a bit of delusion surrounding my Mets.