5 items that should be on Mets' 2023 Winter Meetings to-do list
The Mets have already gotten a minor chunk of their offseason work out of the way, inking Luis Severino to bolster the starting rotation and signing Joey Wendle to strengthen the bench.
New York has also addressed the bottom of the roster with minor moves for a handful of other players -- including relievers and catchers -- some of whom aren't even on the 40-man roster.
As the Mets and the rest of the baseball world converge on Nashville for the Winter Meetings this week, there's plenty still on David Stearns' plate.
Here are five things Stearns and Co. should be up to at the WInter Meetings and (in some cases) beyond...
Add more starting pitching
Severino will be the third pitcher in a rotation that also features Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana. But the Mets need a lot more.
Their top pitching target, as has been reported by SNY's Andy Martino, is Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But he is not expected to sign in Nashville.
As the Mets continue to woo Yamamoto, who is also reportedly drawing heavy interest from the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, and others, they could be able to find another pitcher or two.
If New York is looking near the top of the market, Jordan Montgomery is a fit. But he might wait until Yamamoto is off the board. The same can be said for Lucas Giolito and Shota Imanaga.
Among the possible starters who could likely be had soon on short-term deals are Hyun-jin Ryu, Jack Flaherty, and Eric Lauer.
Fix the bullpen
At the start of the offseason, I wrote about five relievers the Mets should target.
One of them (Reynaldo Lopez) signed, but the other four are still available in free agency.
Those relievers are Hector Neris, Matt Moore, Phil Maton, and David Robertson.
And with the Mets in need of multiple arms who are able to pitch in the late innings, it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to sign two of the above.
As things currently stand, the Mets' bullpen consists of Edwin Diaz, Brooks Raley, and Drew Smith.
Find an outfielder
In the Mets' outfield right now, it's basically Brandon Nimmo and a bunch of question marks.
Starling Marte is under contract through 2025, but the Mets shouldn't be relying on him to stay healthy or produce -- let alone both -- coming off an injury-riddled 2023.
Then there's Jeff McNeil, who can handle both corner outfield spots but profiles better on the infield.
The Mets need to add someone who can serve as insurance if Marte is hampered by his groin issues again, and Martino reported on Monday that they've spoken with defensive wizard Michael A. Taylor.
While Taylor would be a very good get as a fourth outfielder, he doesn't provide much offense, and the Mets should be looking for some.
Address the DH spot
Among New York's biggest needs is finding a legitimate designated hitter.
Ideally, they would add a DH who can also play another position.
The best option could be Jorge Soler, whom the Marlins did not extend a qualifying offer to.
There's also Teoscar Hernandez, a career .261/.317/.487 hitter. Hernandez has eclipsed 25 home runs every year since 2019, with the only exception being the shortened season of 2020, when he smacked 16 homers in 50 games.
The cleanest fit in terms of bat and length of contract could be J.D. Martinez, but he's unable to play a position.
Talk Trade
The Mets shouldn't (and almost certainly won't) rob from their future by trading any of their most valued prospects for one-year rentals. But that doesn't mean they can't swing a meaningful trade.
While the price for Dylan Cease (two years of team control remaining) and Corbin Burnes (one year of control) might be too high for the Mets' blood, someone like Tyler Glasnow should be within their grasp.
Unlike Cease and Burnes, Glasnow comes with lots of asterisks.
He is owed $25 million, has a scary injury history, and has never pitched more than 120 innings in a season.
It will take something of significance to acquire Glasnow, but he really shouldn't cost what Burnes will. And he shouldn't cost nearly as much as what Cease will.
