The New York Mets had an awful 2023 season and Steve Cohen made major changes to the organization to prevent another down year. The Mets owner hired David Stearns as the organization's first-ever President of Baseball Operations, and he decided to part ways with Buck Showalter right away.
New York also let go of their General Manager Billy Eppler, as he was caught up in the "phantom injured-list" drama. Stearns now has to search for a new manager and GM this offseason. Rumors are already circulating about potential candidates for both positions, but they're not going to be the ones on the field affecting the game.
This offseason's free agent class is loaded, headlined by the phenom Shohei Ohtani. This class will also feature some of the top pitchers in the MLB and even a prospect from Japan that could burst onto the scene in 2024.
New York isn't going to sit back and accept another down season, which means Cohen will likely allow Stearns to use a surplus of funds. Even with the Atlanta Braves being a powerhouse in the National League East, the Mets could still claim a Wild Card spot.
They have talent on their roster already, as Pete Alonso is expected to come back as the team's first basemen after hitting 46 home runs. Francisco Lindor is also coming off a stellar season, Kodai Senga established himself as an ace, and Edwin Diaz will be returning from injury.
New York has the pieces to make a postseason in 2024, but they need more. With that being said, here are four free agents who the Mets should be all in on this offseason:
4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP
In seven seasons in the NPB over in Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto held a 1.72 ERA. After becoming a starter in 2019 with the Orix Buffaloes, he was one of the most dominant starting pitchers in Japan.
Last offseason New York handed Senga a five-year deal, and it surely paid off. Senga attained a 2.98 ERA at the end of his rookie season. Across 11 seasons in the NPB, the Mets starter held a 2.42 ERA. If Yamamoto can translate his stuff over here similar to how Senga did, he could be one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball.
Almost every contending team will be in on the Yamamoto sweepstakes, as he's starting to become one of the most highly coveted players on the open market this offseason.
The arsenal of pitches Yamamoto attains is legit, as he has a nasty splitter. He also averages a 94-95 mph fastball and even topped out at 99. The Japanese pitcher also has a lethal curveball.
No one knows how good Yamamoto can be in the MLB, but based on his history in the NPB he has the potential to be elite. The Mets succeed when they have a dominant pitching staff, and they need more than just Senga.
Signing Yamamoto would give New York another ace at the top of the rotation, and it wouldn't be the ace duos of previous seasons. Cohen put his faith in aging pitchers, but at just 25 years old, Yamamoto's best days are still ahead.
With that being said, going after Yamamoto only makes sense for New York. If they were able to pull off a deal, they would certainly be in playoff contention for 2024.
3. Blake Snell, SP
Following a stellar 2023 season, Blake Snell is going to get paid this offseason. He's the Cy Young favorite, which would be his second in the past six years. In 32 starts, the lefty went 14-9, with a 2.25 ERA, which was the best in the National League. He also struck out 234 batters in 180 innings pitched.
The 30-year-old starter might just be the best pitcher available this offeason. Through eight seasons in the MLB, Snell holds a 3.20 career ERA, so it's not like his 2023 performance was out of the blue. If the Mets were to land Snell this offseason, it would give them another ace in the prime years of their career.
If New York wants to reach the postseason, they are going to need more pitching. Outside of Senga and Jose Quintana, the rest of the Mets rotation is a question mark. Snell would become the ace of the staff instantly.
Not only can he throw in the regular season, but Snell has a history of performing well when the lights are bright. In 12 postseason games, the lefty holds a 4-3 record, with a 3.33 ERA.
With the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves having some of the best offenses in baseball, the Mets could use a dominant staff to offset the dominant lineups.
In 2023, the Mets had a team ERA of 4.31, which ranked 19th in MLB. When New York won 101 games in 2022, the team attained a 3.57 ERA. The blueprint for the Mets' success seems to be pitching, as every year they've made the postseason they had a dominant staff.
With a desperate need to add more starting pitching depth, the Mets have an opportunity to snag one of the best this offseason. Cohen has the money to spend, and Snell is looking for money to receive. If New York wants to sneak into the playoffs in 2024, adding Snell to the rotation would give them a legitimate shot.
2. Cody Bellinger, OF
After hitting 47 HRs and winning the league MVP in 2019, Cody Bellinger has fallen off the map as one of MLB's star players. When the 28-year-old made his debut in 2017, many thought the left-handed outfielder would be a threat to opposing pitchers for a long time. From 2020-2022, the former MVP hit a .203 batting average, with a .648 OPS.
In 2023, Bellinger emerged as a dangerous threat again, as he hit for a .307 BA, with a .881 OPS with the Chicago Cubs. The former Los Angeles Dodgers slugger will be highly coveted by many teams in the offseason, as he's a former MVP under 30 years old.
With the Met's need for another outfielder, Bellinger could be the perfect option. His ability to play first base could also give Alonso some time off to DH. The power he provides would be a huge plus for New York too, as the team had 92 fewer HRs than Atlanta in 2023.
If New York were to sign Bellinger, that would give them an interesting lineup. With Lindor, Alonso, and Bellinger, it would give the Mets three guys who have the potential to carry a team.
Even though there are rumors about an over $100 million asking price for Bellinger, it could certainly be a risk worth taking. He was once one of the most feared hitters in baseball, and the former MVP might be able to get back to his old form. If the Mets are willing to take the risk, then Bellinger might be able to help them reach the playoffs in 2024.
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP
All 30 MLB teams could use the best player in the sport, but only a few teams will be able to afford him. Ohtani's price tag is rumored to be around $500 million, even with his UCL injury. The two-way star's agent has already expressed the desire to get back on the mound, so he could fill two holes for Cohen's Mets.
New York desperately needs pitching, and the lineup could also use some help too. As great as Alonso and Lindor are, they're nowhere near the type of hitter Ohtani is. The former MVP is coming off of his best year at the plate, hitting for a .304 BA with an OPS of 1.006. He also tallied up 44 HRs, and 95 RBIs, with league-leading OBP of .412.
When healthy, Ohtani is also one of the game's best pitchers. In 2022 he finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting, as he held a 2.33 ERA across 28 starts.
The production that Ohtani provides is unprecedented, and the Mets could use it. If they were to add Ohtani, they would be right up there with the Phillies and Braves. If Cohen and Stearns want to turn New York into a perennial contender, then they should be all in on the Ohtani sweepstakes this offseason.
