The construction of the New York Mets roster for the 2023 season has come into better focus after the last 10 chaotic days.
It started with a stunner. Jacob deGrom’s departure meant that general manager Billy Eppler headed into the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego with plenty of questions.
At every turn, Eppler had an answer. It began with the two-year, $86.6 million deal to bring in American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. When Taijuan Walker moved south to the rival Phillies on a four-year deal, the Mets responded by bringing in Jose Quintana on a two-year, $26 million deal to pad the middle of the rotation.
The Mets continued to be the talk of Major League Baseball in some capacity after the Winter Meetings concluded. On Thursday night, they hatched a $162 million deal with Brandon Nimmo to return to center field at Citi Field for the next eight years.
Then came the cherry on top. Late Saturday night, the Mets agreed to five-year, $75 million to bring over Japanese standout Kodai Senga from Nippon Professional Baseball where he has spent the last 11 seasons. For $2 million more than the five-year, $185 million that deGrom received from the Rangers, the Mets have brought in Verlander, Quintana and Senga.
Cohen is happily spending to try and bring a championship to Flushing. The Mets’ estimated payroll is around $335 million and north of $400 million after the luxury tax.
Additionally, at midweek, the Mets began to fortify their bullpen by trading for lefty Brooks Raley and then signing David Robertson to a one-year, $10 million contract.
It’s safe to say the Mets had a successful week. Now, we look at how the roster is shaping up and what else might happen for the Mets this offseason:
PREDICTIONS
Adam Ottavino makes a return
The complexion of the Mets’ bullpen has changed dramatically over the course of the week. Raley is coming off one of his best seasons of his career and was in the top 2 percent of hard-hit rate a season ago. Meanwhile, Robertson has one of the best reverse splits in the league and is more than competent against lefties or righties.
The Mets still have some inexperience scattered throughout their bullpen, and they could surely benefit from another veteran presence.
The team has options moving forward. Whether it’s riding with some of the younger talent they’ve brought in on trades or minor-league contracts, adding another lefty or bringing back one of last season’s relievers.
Robertson’s signing signals they might be comfortable with just one lefty in the bullpen once again. Why not bring back your second-best reliever from last season in Ottavino to provide some comfort moving forward.
Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty started in the majors
One of the biggest questions left lingering for the Mets is how they will approach the remainder of their lineup.
Right now, it is almost a mirror image of what they rolled out last season. Could they bring in one more designated hitting option or a depth piece in the outfield?
One thing is certain. The Mets have a number of talented young players who are close to being mainstays on the major league roster.
Alvarez and Baty are two of the closest prospects – each making their major league debuts last season. Both need to improve defensively but both have flashed the offensive potential they possess in a small sample size. It couldn’t hurt for them to get some reps early in the season.
Mets deal Carlos Carrasco to shed some cash
It was a major question whether the Mets were going to be able to snag Senga, but now that he has been secured, the Mets’ starting rotation looks like a finished product.
But there are two quality pitchers waiting in the wings for a change to take the mound every fifth day: David Peterson and Tylor Megill.
With the starting pitching market skyrocketing, Carlos Carrasco could be a nice consolation prize, especially on an expiring contract, for one of the contending teams that misses out on either Carlos Rodon or Chris Bassitt. The move could save the Mets $14 million against the luxury tax and maybe could net a prospect for down the line.
Peterson has proven that he’s more than capable of taking the ball after the 2022 season, arguably outperforming Carrasco.
Mets 2023 roster projection
Catchers: Francisco Alvarez, James McCann, Tomas Nido
Infielders: Pete Alonso, Brett Baty, Eduardo Escobar, Luis Guillorme, Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil
Outfielders: Mark Canha, Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo
Designated hitter: Daniel Vogelbach, Darin Ruf
Starting rotation: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana, Kodai Senga, David Peterson
Bullpen: Edwin Diaz, Elieser Hernandez, Joey Lucchesi, Tylor Megill, Stephen Nogosek, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley, Drew Smith, David Robertson