Following a poor 2023 season that saw them miss the postseason just one year after finishing with a 101-61 record, Steve Cohen and the New York Mets had a huge roster deficit to try to close in 2024
Have they carried it out? Let’s examine the current state of affairs in anticipation of the 2024 season.
Pitchers have made up the majority of the reinforcements thus far, and New York still needs some help in the rotation and bullpen. Luis Severino was acquired from the Yankees on a prove-it deal worth $13 million for one season following a subpar 2023 campaign in which he had numerous ailments and finished with a 6.65 ERA. Before the current season, however, Severino was a regular and fan favorite with the Pinstripes. He qualified for back-to-back All-Star games in 2017 and 2018, placing third in the AL Cy Young competition in 2017. If Severino is able to play at even half those levels with the Mets, he will be a tremendous asset to ace Kodai Senga in the
In addition, Sean Manaea, who is best known for his tenure with the Oakland A’s, was signed to a two-year, $28 million contract to complete the rotation. Since being selected in the 2013 draft, the left-hander has been a reliable starter and will look to increase his output as a member of New York’s starting rotation. Senga, Severino, Manaea, Jose Quintana, and Adrian Houser—who was dealt from Milwaukee this offseason for outfield prospect Coleman Crow—will likely be on the Mets starting staff going forward with this agreement. Adrian Houser just finished a season in which he went 8-5 as a starter and 96 strikeouts. Joey Lucchesi and Tylor Megill will probably also play depth/relief roles.
In addition, several relievers have been added, with Michael Tonkin, Adam Ottavino, Jorge Lopez, and Jake Diekman leading the bullpen additions made during the summer. It will be crucial to surround superstar closer Edwin Diaz with setup guys like Ottavino and Lopez, who can work through the seventh and eighth innings, come opening day of the 2019 season. Whether he fills in for a single inning or provides lengthier relief, Tonkin is always willing to pitch in.
Regarding position players, the signing of Harrison Bader will improve the middle of the Mets’ defense as he will man center field, moving Brandon Nimmo to left. In addition to being one of baseball’s top defensive center fielders, if not the best, Bader won a Gold Glove in 2021. However, he has struggled with a number of injuries, missing 199 games since the beginning of 2021, and in his career, he has only made appearances in over 130 games once, which was back in 2018. Bader has shown that he can be a productive player at the plate when healthy, but his bat slowed down last season when he returned to the Yankees due to an injury.
Joey Wendle, a utility player, was also recruited by the Mets, taking Luis Guillorme’s place on the squad. When players like Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil would need a break, Wendle will probably step in as a depth infield option.
Still, there are some unanswered questions about New York. Despite his struggles in the previous season, Brett Baty is expected to get another chance at the hot corner, leaving open spots at third base and designated hitter. J.D. Martinez and Jorge Soler, the remaining DH options, are still appealing to the Mets, but they are probably above their means.
The Mets made it clear they would reduce their expenditures this winter, and they haven’t made any significant additions. They seem to be all but done, though they could yet add a couple more to strengthen the lineup or bullpen.
Nevertheless, David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for the Mets, has assembled playoff teams with a smaller salary and less talent. Although the Mets still have a potential to perform better than anticipated this season, it is still unclear if they done enough to establish a postseason squad.
Originally from Summit, New Jersey, Kyle just received his degree in Sports Media and Journalism from the University of Rhode Island, where he worked as the sports editor for the school newspaper and as a play-by-play commentator for the school’s ESPN+ broadcasts. Growing up, Kyle was an avid New York sports fan and has over 7 years of experience in paid reporting, going all the way back to high school.
