Steve Cohen put his wallet away and decided that it was time to see what the kids had. After spending historic money the past two offseasons, the Mets laid low in the free agent market this winter — despite an attempt at Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
A brutal 2023 season — where their payroll was $353 million and finished 75-87 — led to the organization making some changes in the front office as well they brought in David Stearns to be their president of baseball operations.
New manager Carlos Mendoza will lead a young group without lofty expectations. Cohen himself said making the playoffs would be considered a success for this squad.
The 2024 season will shape the future for the Amazins and determine how quickly their owner goes back to spending.
Here’s a look at how the Mets shape up position-by-position:
CATCHER
Francisco Alvarez
2023 Stats: 413 plate appearances, 22 home runs, 60 RBI, .209 batting average, .764 OPS
Analysis: Alvarez impressed with his tremendous power and surprisingly good defense behind the plate during his rookie season. The 22-year-old figures to be a staple in the middle of the Mets lineup for years to come. The catcher should see increased offensive production with a year now under his belt.
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FIRST BASE
Pete Alonso
2023 Stats: 658 plate appearances, 46 home runs, 118 RBI, .217 batting average, .821 OPS
Analysis: Alonso is entering arguably the most important season of his career. The first baseman will be a free agent after the 2024 season with no contract extension in sight. Alonso’s power production was on par with what he’s done his entire career. However, his batting average dipped below his usual marks. The 29-year-old will be playing for a contract and that may be good news to the Mets who will need a big season out of the Polar Bear.
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SECOND BASE
Jeff McNeil
2023 Stats: 648 plate appearances, 10 home runs, 55 RBI, .270 batting average, .711 OPS
Analysis: After winning the batting tittle in 2022, McNeil saw a significant decrease in production during 2023. The second baseman is known for his elite bat-to-ball skills and another run at a batting title would not be surprising — despite the disappointing year. The 31-year-old got off to a late start this spring with bicep discomfort.
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SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor
2023 Stats: 687 plate appearances, 31 home runs, 98 RBI, .254 batting average, .806 OPS
Analysis: Lindor had arguably his best season as a Met in 2023 posting his highest home run total and OPS with the team. However, the overall disappointing season from the Amazins may have overshadowed the slick-fielding shortstop. Lindor’s value in the field alone makes him one of the elite players in the game. If he continues to hit an above-average rate, he will remain one of the best shortstops in the league.
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THIRD BASE
Brett Baty
2023 Stats: 108 plate appearances, nine home runs, 34 RBI, .212 batting average, .598 OPS
Mark Vientos
2023 Stats: 233 plate appearances, nine home runs, 22 RBI, .211 batting average, .620 OPS
Analysis: Neither Baty or Vientos had a good rookie season, however, one of them will get the majority of run at third base. Baty is the safer bet to get the better share of the two as Vientos’ defense has been a concern throughout his career. Both of them should see plenty of playing time as 2024 seems to be about seeing what the kids got.
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LEFT FIELD
Brandon Nimmo
2023 Stats: 682 plate appearances, 24 home runs, 68 RBI, .274 batting average, .829 OPS
Analysis: In his first season after inking an eight-year, $162 million contract, Nimmo lived up to every dollar he earned. The outfielder posted his fourth straight OPS above 8 and should be expected to do so again. The move to left field is something to watch as he spent the majority of his career in center — 518 games out of 703 in the outfield.
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CENTER FIELD
Harrison Bader
2023 Stats: 344 plate appearances, 7 home runs, 37 RBI, .232 batting average, .622 OPS
Analysis: Bader is known as arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game. His bat leaves a lot to be desired, however, he has shown spurts of success at the plate. His 2022 postseason outburst with the Yankees — five homers in nine games — and his .785 OPS in 2021 leaves some optimism that his bat has potential for more.
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RIGHT FIELD
Starling Marte
2023 Stats: 341 plate appearances, five home runs, 28 RBI, .248 batting average, .625 OPS
Analysis: Marte is out to prove he is healthy and still has plenty left in the tank after a miserable 2023 season. The veteran never really recovered from double groin surgery last offseason and his results this spring haven’t been encouraging. If he has another tough season, top prospect Drew Gilbert’s name will be heard fairly often by Mets’ faithful.
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DESIGNATED HITTER
J.D. Martinez
2023 Stats: 479 plate appearances, 33 home runs, 103 RBI, .271 batting average, .893 OPS
Analysis: The Mets made a late addition in hopes of fortifying their lineup with Martinez. The veteran had a fantastic season with the Dodgers in 2023 and should slide in nicely in the middle of the order. The 36-year-old will begin the season in the minors as he ramps up for the season after remaining unsigned until a week before Opening Day.
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ROTATION
Kodai Senga
2023 Stats: 12-7, 2.98 ERA, 166.1 IP, 202 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP, 10.9 K/9
Analysis: Senga gave the Mets a good scare early in Spring Training as a shoulder injury will keep him out for the beginning of the regular season. The 31-year-old dazzled in his rookie season and is the clear-cut ace of the club. The Mets are light on pitching so Senga taking the ball every fifth day is crucial for their success.
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Jose Quintana
2023 Stats: 3-6, 3.57 ERA, 75.2 IP, 60 strikeouts, 1.31 WHIP, 7.1 K/9
Analysis: Quintana will take the ball for the Mets on Opening Day in replace of Senga. The Southpaw should provide some stability to the Amazins rotation as he did last season in his limited time — he missed over half the season with a rib lesion. His stuff will not wow you, however, he will serve as an innings eater for a team that will need all of them.
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Luis Severino
2023 Stats: 4-8, 6.65 ERA, 89.1 IP, 79 strikeouts, 1.65 WHIP, 8.0 K/9
Analysis: Severino was arguably the worst starting pitcher in baseball last season. The Amazins took a one-year flier on the right-hander and could be rewarded as his electric stuff leaves plenty to dream on. If Jeremy Hefner could tap into the two-time All-Star, it will provide a huge boost to a staff that appears light on paper.
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Adrian Houser
2023 Stats: 8-5, 4.12 ERA, 111.1 IP, 96 strikeouts, 1.40 WHIP, 7.8 K/9
Analysis: Houser was acquired via trade this offseason as he re-united with David Stearns. The right-hander is another middle-of-the-rotation arm that will need to eat valuable innings for the Amazins to succeed. The sinker-baller — who features a four-pitch mix — should produce a lot of ground balls.
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Sean Manaea
2023 Stats: 7-6, 4.44 ERA, 117.2 IP, 128 strikeouts, 1.24 WHIP, 9.8 K/9
Analysis: Manaea — another addition this offseason — showcased a strong spring. The southpaw saw an uptick in velocity last season — 93.6 MPH — and added a sweeper to his arsenal. The 32-year-old will be staple in the Mets’ rotation as he inked a two-year, $28 million contract this past winter.
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BULLPEN
Edwin Diaz
2023 Stats: N/A. Missed season with torn patellar tendon.
Analysis: The Trumpets are returning to Citi Field. Arguably the best closer in the game is healthy after missing all of 2023 due to a celebration gone wrong in the World Baseball Classic. Diaz posted a 1.31 ERA in 2022 and it would not be surprising to see him output that production again. The right-hander will be closely monitored coming off of a severe injury.
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Adam Ottavino
2023 Stats: 1-7, 3.21 ERA, 61.2 IP, 62 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP, 9.0 K/9
Analysis: Ottavino is returning for his third season with the Mets and will likely resume set-up man duties. The right-hander has been effective in his career with the Amazins and should be somewhat of a security blanket for Mendoza in his first season as manager.
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