The MLB Winter Meetings take place in San Diego, Calif. from Dec. 4 to 7, and it is at those meetings where a pretty stagnant free agent market could start to move very fast.
Now that Jacob deGrom signed with the Texas Rangers before the meetings started, the Mets can now look at making other moves to improve their team. They will also monitor moves made by other teams, which could have a ripple effect that impacts the Mets.
For instance, if Aaron Judge leaves the Yankees, it could change the Bombers’ entire offseason plan, potentially leading them to be more involved in bidding for players they might not otherwise try hard for if Judge returns.
Here’s what should be on the Mets’ to-do list during the meetings…
Rebound from Jacob deGrom’s decision
It might just be due diligence that the Mets have also spoken with Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon. But it sure seems like New York is looking to have two aces atop their rotation again in 2023. One of them will be Max Scherzerand the other will seemingly come from the duo above.
With deGrom off the board, it’ll be a game of musical chairs between Verlander, Rodon, and more than three teams (the Mets, Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and others).
The Mets will have to quickly pounce on Verlander or perhaps Rodon if one or both are still available by the time the Winter Meetings begin.
Of the two, I’m of the opinion that Verlander — despite his age — makes much more sense. But Rodon clearly has lots of upside.
Nimmo’s market is robust.
That’s not a surprise when you consider that he’s the best free agent outfielder not named Judge, that he’s been one of the most valuable offensive outfielders in baseball since 2018, and that he now has even more value because he recently turned himself into a plus defender in center field.
Nimmo has been one of the Mets’ key cogs, and losing him would hurt immensely.
If Nimmo lands elsewhere (and he’s expected to receive more than $20 million annually), the Mets could look to find some external offense at another spot on the diamond. But in doing so, they’ll also have to figure out who plays center field.
And in a world without Nimmo, the Mets would likely have two choices as far as center goes.
The first would be to slide Starling Marte from right field back to center, which might not be the best idea since Marte is entering his age-34 season and hasn’t played regularly in center since 2021.
The other would be to find a new center fielder via free agency or trade. But a look at the free agent options leaves a lot to be desired.
The Mets could add a defense-first guy like Kevin Kiermaier or take a flier on AJ Pollockwho had a down 2022 offensively after performing very well from 2017 to 2021. But Pollock has been pretty bad defensively in center over the last few seasons.
That means if the Mets lose Nimmo, it really might make sense to explore the recently DFA’d Cody Bellinger, who will at the very least play an above-average (and possibly elite) center field and has huge upside with the bat. And it will probably only take a one-year deal to sign him.
Another option would be a reunion with Michael Confortowho could play right field with Marte in center.
See if Shohei Ohtani really is unavailable
I’ll believe the Los Angeles Angels aren’t trading Ohtani this offseason when he either signs an extension with them or the offseason ends.
Angels GM Perry Minasian recently said that Ohtani isn’t available, and maybe he really isn’t.
But it’s hard to see why Ohtani — who is set to hit free agency after the 2023 season — would sign an extension with an Angels team that is kind of in disarray.
And if Ohtani doesn’t extend with the Angels this offseason, why would he do so during the season?
In the event the Angels can’t ink Ohtani, they’ll have the choice of trading him and getting an enormous haul back (it will be bigger this offseason than it will be during the season) or losing him for nothing but draft pick compensation .
And the Mets, with an emerging farm system and some of the very best prospects in all of baseball, probably have the pieces it would take to land Ohtani — and I think they can do it without parting with Francisco Alvarez.
DeGrom signing with the Rangers leaves the window open for the Mets landing Ohtani especially if New York doesn’t sign a replacement ace. Trying to swing a deal for Ohtani — with the plan being to extend him soon after — would make all the sense in the world.