What are the Mets doing with their lineup?

Are they really staying in house, or would they still consider a veteran free agent stop gap?

What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• The age of an international free agent the Mets recently signed is under investigation (Athletic)

---

---

So, where are the Mets going to find protection for the middle of the order? ✍️

All winter long, we have been discussing all of the free agent options for the Mets to consider to help offer protection for both Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.

And all winter long, the Mets haven’t done a thing to even offer a hint they’re addressing the problem.

And all winter long, many of the options that could help solve that equation have been available to them on the free agent market.

At this point, the Mets are sticking with their plan to play the younger guys at third base, even without some kind of qualified major league insurance in the even both Brett Baty or Mark Vientos aren’t fit for the job.

They went with defensive-centric solutions in their outfield, which I don’t disagree with provided those they brought in (Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor) not only be plus-defenders but at least be major league competent hitters as well.

So, one of two possibilities remain: the Mets will either stand pat and roll with what many believe to be a subpar lineup, or they will find a DH on the open market.

We have spoken about three players who might be able to address this need throughout the winter: Jorge Soler, Justin Turner, and JD Martínez.

While he’s had an incredibly up-and-down career, Soler, 31, undoubtedly brings a ton of power and a lot of potential to any team that shows interest. This past season with Miami was one of his most consistent as Soler posted an .853 OPS (the third highest of his career) and had an emphatic 1.080 OPS against left-handed pitchers.

The Mets could sorely use a power-hitter who bashes lefties so well in a lineup that struggled to do so this past season.

He should be commanding a multi-year deal, but perhaps with the winter coming to an end and still being unsigned, perhaps Soler might consider settling for one year or one plus an option.

Then of course there’s Turner, which would be a homecoming of sorts for the former Met.

Turner, 39, just opted out of his contract with the Red Sox after putting together a strong season at the plate with Boston, hitting .276/.345/.455 with 31 doubles, 23 home runs and 96 RBI with a 114 OPS+.

So, yeah Turner can still hit.

He also stayed healthy in 2023 and has averaged 142 games played in each of the last three seasons. That can often serve as the kiss of the death around here, but it’s at least something the Mets can hope continues.

Turner’s defense is a question mark now, but his primary role here would be to serve as the designated hitter and occasionally play the field. He could still serve as that insurance policy to Baty and Vientos at third base, even if he’s a minus defender at this point in his career.

Finally, there’s Martínez.

Martínez is coming off a big bounce back year in LA, is a little younger and therefore may come at a little higher cost than Turner. But he’s a prototypical DH who would serve strictly in that role as long as he’s healthy. He did miss more than a month in 2023 with a groin injury, but he still produced 103 RBI in just 113 games in 2023. He would unquestionably serve as quality protection behind Alonso that which he simply did not have in 2023.

If anyone wants to argue the floor for the Mets is higher than it’s been in the past with a lower ceiling, fine. But I think the Mets can raise the floor while also raising the ceiling by solidifying the lineup and getting another piece for the bullpen (the latter seems more likely right now).

David Stearns has said on multiple occasions this winter he believes the Mets are a playoff contender. If that’s the case, keep pressing and get the next piece of the puzzle.

---

Hot Stove 🔥

• The Mariners traded four players to the Twins for Jorge Polanco (MLB.com)

• Former manager Jimy Williams passed away at the age of 80

• The Yankees claimed LHP Matt Gage off waivers from the Astros

• Aaron Hicks - who is still owed $19 million from the Yankees - signed a one-year deal with the Angels