2023 New York Mets Wish List

Happy New Year!

The first day of the New Year marks one day closer to the beginning of the 2023 MLB season and, more importantly, the beginning of the 2023 New York Mets. To get in the spirit of the New Year, why not take a look at what some figurative New Year resolutions, wishes, or check list the Mets’ organization should have entering 2023.

The Carlos Correa Deal To Be Finalized

This by far has to be the most common wish among several. It has been over a week since the Mets and Carlos Correa came to an agreement on a monster 12-year, $315-million deal. However, since then, the deal has hung in the balance over a flag raised concerning the superstar’s lower leg.

It has been reported numerous times that a deal is still likely. This likely pending a compromise made via a clause being added in the 12-year deal that addresses the Mets’ concerns. Given this, all the time it has taken does not come as any surprise. Though, wouldn’t it be a great start to the New Year to see a resolution agreed upon sooner rather than later?

Bring In Another Bullpen Arm

Entering free agency and the off-season, two areas of the Mets’ roster seemingly had to be completely rebuilt. One of these areas was the bullpen. Apparently, general manager Billy Eppler and the front office were well aware of that as addressing the bullpen has certainly been their priority so far.

The team re-signed the best closer in baseball, Edwin Díaz, to a monster five-year, $102-million deal. They also brought in the likes of David Robertson (free agency) and Brooks Raley (trade), as well as re-signed Adam Ottavino. New York also made several other minor additions that should help bring depth or potentially fill a remaining hole in the bullpen with a strong spring. Of these additions are Jeff Brigham, Stephen Ridings, and Tayler Saucedo.

The Mets also have a plethora of potential internal options to fill the bullpen. These consist of John Curtiss, Stephen Nogosek, and Bryce Montes de Oca. New York also have guys who have been starters but can also serve as a bullpen arm in David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, and/or Elieser Hernández (not external, acquired via trade).

Usually, teams carry around seven relievers. As the Mets’ roster stands, there are five confirmed names that will fill some of those spots: Díaz, Robertson, Ottavino, Raley, and Drew Smith. That leaves two spots to either fill via the plethora of other names listed above, or via the open market.

It would do the Mets well to bring in one other external option. Injuries, as well as the risk of not being able to find two reliable arms in the list of potential external options, would make them wise to bring in outside help. Among external options that would fit best are Matt Moore (LHP), Andrew Chafin (LHP), Michael Fulmer (RHP), Alex Reyes (RHP), Luke Jackson (RHP), and Corey Knebel (RHP).

Overall, the Mets’ front office has done a great job of rebuilding the bullpen. They are certainly on the right track, and adding one more arm would make a comfortably above-average bullpen into a great one.

Health To Those Participating In The World Baseball Classic

With the new year comes the first World Baseball Classic since 2017. The 2023 WBC will begin on March 8 and will feature a plethora of different current Mets. Below are the expected Mets’ participants:

• Pete Alonso (USA)
• Jeff McNeil (USA)
• Francisco Lindor (Puerto Rico)
• Carlos Correa* (Puerto Rico)
• Eduardo Escobar (Venezuela)
• Starling Marte (Dominican Republic)
• Mark Vientos (Nicaragua)
• Edwin Diaz (Puerto Rico)

Further, Brandon Nimmo played for Team Italy in 2017 and David Robertson for Team USA in 2017. The above list of eight Mets can grow any day.

With all that being said, the WBC is a very exciting and thrilling watch. It makes it that much better than a plethora of Mets will be playing in the tournament. Though, with the tournament so close to the 2023 baseball season, health should be the number one priority for the Mets in the tournament.

The Rotation Remains Healthy

As mentioned above, two different aspects of the team needed complete rebuilding this off-season. One was the bullpen, the other, the rotation. Well, like the bullpen, general manager Billy Eppler and crew completely rejuvenated the team’s starting pitcher group.

After the losses of Jacob deGrom (Texas), Chris Bassitt (Toronto), and Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia) the Mets snapped into action and brought in Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and Jose Quintana. These three join a very formidable fivesome in Max Scherzer, Verlander, Senga, Carlos Carrasco, and Quintana. On paper, the grouping is one of the best in the league.

On paper is one thing, and what cannot be ignored is the average age of the current Mets’ rotation is 34.8. Not to mention, Scherzer missed extended time last year, Verlander is just one year remove from Tommy John surgery, Senga has not pitched more than 180 innings in any one calendar year throughout his career, and Carrasco threw more than 80 innings for the first time since 2018, just last year.

Luckily, the Mets, for the first time in what seems like a long time, have good depth. David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, and Elieser Hernández each have starter experience. Regardless, let’s hope none of those guys need to be used too often as a starter and the Mets’ rotation remains relatively healthy throughout the whole season.

2023 Trade Deadline Pans Out

The trade deadline was one of the most controversial aspects of the Mets’ 2022 season. Sitting on top of the National League East and with one of the best records in the MLB, New York looked poised for a big deadline to help a deep postseason run. They looked to potentially need a catcher, certainly a power bat to fix the team’s designated hitting woes, and one or two relief arms (namely a left-handed reliever). When it was all said and done, the Mets came away with bats Daniel Vogelbach, Darin Ruf, and Tyler Naquin, as well as reliever Mychal Givens.

At the time, whether fans want to admit it or not, the correct thought process was there. Naquin looked to provide better depth as a fourth outfielder than a Travis Jankowski and Ruf/Vogelbach, based off their career splits, should have formed a decent designated-hitting platoon for the rest of the season. Lastly, Givens has always put up strong numbers and looked to be a no-brainer win based off what the Mets gave up. Really, at the time, the only “whiff” was not obtaining a left-handed reliever and potentially not making a deal for a catcher, though, the Cubs’ asking price for Willson Contreras was rumored to be outrageously high.

Well, almost every single move the Mets made blundered, outside the Vogelbach acquisition, and even him at times sputtered. Regardless, the poor performance of three-of-the-four acquisitions made it a very bad look for the Mets’ front office. This leading to even more criticism, rightful or not, on the Mets’ mindset to hang on to their higher-tier prospects and not make as big as a splash.

Again, outside the Ruf deal (which was bad as soon as it happened), in theory, the correct thought process was used. Attack the main needs via asset-friendly deals and avoid desolating the team’s prospect pool. Let’s hope the 2023 trade deadline goes much different and both the thought process and results are there for a hopefully World Series contending team.

World Series? First Goal: Win A Series

Winning in the MLB postseason is no easy feat. As was seen last year, the Mets, Dodgers, and Braves all did not advance past their first matchup. No doubt entering the 2023 season the Mets will have “World Series or bust” expectations. This even more so evident by the team’s second-best odds to win the Fall Classic. Well, in order to do that, the Mets need to do something they failed to do last year, advance past the first round.

New York has not won a playoff series since their 2015 World Series runner-up season seven years ago. Heck, only seven times in the Mets’ 60 seasons has the team won a playoff series. That is only 11.7 percent of Mets’ seasons have ended in at least one postseason series win.

Further, if the Mets want to have as successful as a 2023 as they should, first and foremost, they need to make the playoffs. With the extended playoff format, and the roster New York has assembled, the playoffs should be a given. Though, as the Chicago White Sox learned last year, nothing is a given. Furthermore, the Mets have only made the playoffs 10 times in their 60 year history (16.7 percent) why should the playoffs be an automatic given?

Well, as everyone has seen since owner Steve Cohen took over, this is a far different Mets’ organization than we have seen in the past. There is a reason the team seemingly will have World Series aspirations every year going forward. Playoff should be a given and that is the first thing the Mets need to take care of next season. After that, accomplish a series win, which is much more difficult no matter the roster you have. Regardless, excitement should be at an all-time high for this Mets’ organization in 2023.

Enjoy the ride and Happy New Year!