MLB Trade Rumors releases their Top 50 free agents list every year with their predictions of how much each player signs for (they’ve been spot on numerous times this year) and where they sign. Let’s look at the players in their top 50 (rankings in parentheses) that are still available to get an idea of what the Mets have as options. Obviously, Shohei Ohtani was their No. 1 rated free agent and he signed a 10-year deal with the Dodgers.
Starting Pitchers
- #3 Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Clearly the top pitcher on the market (Ohtani won’t pitch in 2024) and the price tag reportedly continues to climb for the 25-year-old.
- #4 Blake Snell – It’s been a relatively quiet market for the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Teams that miss out on Yamamoto will certainly shift their focus to Snell (and others).
- #6 Jordan Montgomery – As you can see, the market for starting pitchers is still pretty strong.
- #10 Shōta Imanaga – Another highly sought-after Japanese starter who could wait for other pieces to sign before making his decision.
- #17 Lucas Giolito – Mets have been connected to the former White Sox starter on multiple occasions.
- #18 Marcus Stroman – Decided to opt-out of deal with Cubs.
- #28 Yariel Rodríguez – Cuban right-hander has experience as a reliever (in Japan) and starter (WBC).
- #30 Mike Clevinger – Posted a 3.77 ERA this season for the White Sox.
- #34 Michael Lorenzen – Pitched a no-hitter after getting traded to Phillies.
- #35 Sean Manaea – Started and relieved for Giants this year.
- #44 Frankie Montas – Only pitched 1 1/3 innings this year.
Relievers
- #8 Josh Hader – The former Brewers closer is atop the reliever market that only includes a few other high-leverage types.
- #21 Jordan Hicks – Posted a 2.63 ERA in 24 innings with the Blue Jays following his trade from the Cardinals.
- #27 Robert Stephenson – The Rays used their magic to get a 2.35 ERA and a massive 42.9 K% out of the former Pirate.
- #33 Aroldis Chapman – Struck out 103 batters in 58 innings this season.
- #43 Yuki Matsui – Small (5’8”) lefty that has posted a sub-2.00 ERA three straight years in Japan.
- #46 Hector Neris – Ranks third among MLB relievers with 297 1/3 innings over last 5 seasons.
- #47 Jakob Junis – Pitched in a variety of roles for the Giants this year.
- #49 Liam Hendriks – Will likely miss all of 2024 following TJS.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders
- #2 Cody Bellinger – MLBTR has Bellinger as their No. 2 free agent in the class and very clearly the top outfielder.
- #12 Teoscar Hernández – Coming off a down year offensively (105 wRC+), though one of his best years (0 OAA) defensively.
- #14 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – Versatile player who also has experience at SS, 2B, and 1B.
- #31 Kevin Kiermaier – The talented defender had was 13 OAA this season. Posted a 104 wRC+, too.
- #36 Harrison Bader – Posted ugly 70 wRC+ this season, though his defense (9 OAA) was still good.
Infielders
- #7 Matt Chapman – The top piece in what is a bad market for infielders.
- #38 Gio Urshela – Like I said, it’s a bad infielder market.
- #39 Amed Rosario – Amed being a free agent makes me feel old.
- #40 Whit Merrifield – Can play all outfield spots, plus 3B/2B/1B.
- #50 Tim Anderson – Former batting champ posted a career-worst .582 OPS this year.
Designated Hitters
- #16 Jorge Soler – Can play some corner outfielder, but definitely better suited as DH. His big offensive season (36 HR, 126 wRC+) in 2023 will certainly get him a multi-year deal.
- #20 J.D. Martinez – Can still thump (33 HR this year), and the Mets need power.
- #23 Mitch Garver – Primarily a DH at this point, but can still catch a bit and has limited experience at 1B, too.
- #26 Rhys Hoskins – Missed the entire 2023 following knee surgery.
- #41 Justin Turner – Could a Mets reunion make sense, given their needs?
- #45 Brandon Belt – Was a DH the majority of the time this year, posted 138 wRC+ for Blue Jays.
