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3 players for New York Mets to target this offseason

By David Hill |
Oct 8, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) reacts after hitting a RBI single in the fourth inning during game two of the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) reacts after hitting a RBI single in the fourth inning during game two of the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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In a lot of ways, the 2022 season was a success for the New York Mets.

The Mets were finally able to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016. Their 101 wins were the second most in franchise history. Buck Showalter made history in his first season at the helm as the Mets proved that they are about to become a force to be reckoned with. But ultimately, they fell short of Steve Cohen’s championship goal.

Three players for New York Mets to target

This offseason finds the Mets at a difficult spot. They will need to remake their rotation, especially as co-ace Jacob deGrom is a free agent. The bullpen could use another arm or two, center field could be a question mark, and the Mets need depth. Fortunately, they have an owner willing to spend whatever it takes, to the point where he has his own place in the luxury tax threshold. Money will not be an object for the Mets’ quest to win another title.

The New York Mets have a lot of work to do for a team that won 101 games in 2022. Let’s look at three players they should target this offseason.

Brandon Nimmo

The most obvious player happens to be one they are intimately familiar with.

The Mets had named Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo as their top priorities heading into the offseason as they looked to solidify the ninth inning and center field going forward. While the Mets were able to achieve one objective by bringing Diaz back, Nimmo remains on the market.

Nimmo has become an important part of the lineup, hitting leadoff in all but one of his 148 starts last season. He has been a weapon atop the lineup, posting a .274/.367/.433 batting line with 16 homers and 30 doubles over his 673 plate appearances.

In theory, the Mets have pieces to slot atop the lineup if Nimmo leaves. Mark Canha and Starling Marte can work in the leadoff spot. However, Nimmo provides a dynamic sparkplug that has proven to be the piece they need in center as well. There is no question as to why he is the Mets’ top priority.

The New York Mets identified Brandon Nimmo as one of their top priorities this offseason. Money is not going to be an obstacle to making that happen.

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Rodon

Logically, it would make sense for the New York Mets to bring Jacob deGrom back to Queens for the next few years.

But there are questions as to whether or not that will happen. The Rangers are expected to be in hot pursuit of deGrom as they look to end their own extended rebuilding process. It is also possible that he looks to receive a contract similar to what Max Scherzer received. As deGrom has just 38 appearances since the end of 2019, the Mets may not want to spend over $40 million per year to bring him back.

Instead, that money could be spread around a bit more while bringing in another top of the rotation arm. Carlos Rodon has emerged as an ace over the past two seasons, finally living up his potential as he has entered his prime.

While it was fair to wonder if his stellar 2021 campaign was an aberration, he followed it up with a strong showing last year. Rodon posted a 2.88 ERA and a 1.028 WHiP over his 178 innings, striking out 237 batters with 52 walks. If Rodon can replicate that type of production, he would be the perfect piece to slot behind Scherzer as the Mets look to keep a pair of aces atop the rotation.

Even the New York Mets may balk at Jacob deGrom’s salary. Instead, they should take a look at Carlos Rodon as a replacement.

Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Andrew Chafin

The New York Mets managed to survive without getting much help from their left handed relievers last season. That is going to have to change in 2023.

The problem is that the Mets do not have much in the bullpen at this point. MLB.com lists a total of four relievers on their depth chart with Tayler Saucedo as the only lefty. As Saucedo will turn 30 years old next year, has a 5.40 ERA and a 1.376 WHiP over his 28.1 major league innings, and is coming off of a hip injury that sidelined him for most of 2022, it is fair to wonder how much of a difference he will be able to make.

Chafin would not only add a dependable lefty to the Mets’ bullpen but he would also be a late inning weapon that they need. He posted a 2.83 ERA and a 1.169 WHiP over his 57.1 innings, striking out 67 batters with 19 walks. Opponents had a meager .222/.290/.329 batting line in their 243 plate appearances as he generated grounders 50% of the time the ball was put into play.

It is great that the Mets were able to bring Edwin Diaz back. And they are likely to spend the money needed to fortify the rotation, putting themselves in position to have a strong 2023 season. But they need to bridge the gap between the rotation and Diaz. Chafin would be one of the pieces they need to do precisely that while solving their left handed reliever problems.

Andrew Chafin is going to be a hot commodity in free agency. The New York Mets need to make sure he comes to Queens.

Next. 3 landing spots for Brandon Nimmo. dark

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