For the New York Mets to take the next step in the 2023 postseason, their lineup has got to produce at a higher level.
Whether it be re-signing Brandon Nimmo or signing Trea Turner, most expect Steve Cohen to pay one big-time bat to a significant contract this free agency. However, they will still likely need more, and in particular, more of a power bat presence added to this batting order.
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Should the Mets stay with what they have or add a FA DH?
This talking point was first brought up a few days ago. Andy Martino of SNY recently shared that the Mets’ expectation is to stay with the internal options they have at designated hitter for 2023.
Earlier on this offseason, the Mets did pick up a cheap $1.5 million option that they had for Daniel Vogelbach. The Mets still do happen to have Darin Ruf, who they also traded for at the 2022 trade deadline.
The other three options that the Mets have in place are young prospects Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos.
With strong starters already in place at the positions they play, the three young bats can all be utilized as designated hitters. And knowing the growth they could all make defensively, it is probably the best way for them to ease in. Alvarez, Baty, and Vientos all offer some size and power, which the Mets need, and overall, just talented bats at the plate.
Then, in terms of free-agent options, there are a few the Mets should still show some interest in. A few of the top players who could fill the DH role for the Mets on the market are Josh Bell, Trey Mancini, and J.D. Martinez. All three who happened to be linked to the Mets at last summer’s trade deadline.
Bell offers tons of size (6-foot-4, 261 lbs) and power with 37, 27, and 26 home runs seasons in the past.
The obvious thing most will point to for the Mets and Mancini is the fact that he has experience with Buck Showalter from their days with the Baltimore Orioles. Mancini also happens to offer loads of power with seasons of 35, 24 (twice), 21, and 18 home runs.
Martinez is 35, five years older than both Bell and Mancini but would offer the Mets a career batting average of .288. He has batted over .300 three times. Martinez would provide a consistent contact bat to the lineup.
Some of the free-agent options are certainly enticing. With Martino’s recent report, though, and knowing all of the options that the Mets already have at their disposal, there is uncertainty as to whether or not they will be active in the free-agent DH market.
They should be curious, nonetheless. For a win-now team in need of better bats, Bell, Mancini, and Martinez, among others, are certainly intriguing.
While we know what Vogelbach and Ruf are, the Mets have young, talented players who could collectively fill the designated hitter role in Alvarez, Baty, and Vientos should the Mets not sign one this offseason.