The 2023 New York Mets season was one of the most disappointing seasons in the franchise’s 62-year history. After coming into the season with World Series aspirations and amassing the largest payroll in Major League Baseball history, the team finished 4th in the National League East with an abysmal 75-87 record. A major part of why the Mets failed to win games was a lack of production on offense, particularly from the designated hitter position. This effort was spearheaded by Daniel Vogelbach, who in 104 games posted a statline of .233/.339/.404 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI. With Vogelbach getting non-tendered in November, it is unclear who the Mets’ starting DH will be at the start of the 2024 season. But the free agent market still has plenty of players who would bring both consistency and power to the position that the Mets desperately need. We’ll also consider some potential in-house options. Here’s a look at the Mets’ best options to be their starting DH in 2024.
Jorge Soler
If New York wants to make a wild card push this year, Soler is the way to go. In 2023 with the Marlins, Soler had his best season since 2019 and was selected to his first All-Star Game. Soler, 31, went yard 36 times and drove in 75 runs with a slashing line of .251/.341/.512. Though he’s not the most consistent hitter, his raw power would make him the perfect candidate to bat behind Pete Alonso in the 5-hole, providing the superstar slugger with the support that Mets fans have been dreaming of for years. The biggest question surrounding Soler would be his contract, as it’s been rumored that he’s seeking a two to three year deal with an annual value over $20 million. It has also been rumored that the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are both heavily interested in him. Soler would be the most expensive DH option the Mets could pursue, but Steve Cohen has proved time and time again that he’s willing to spend whatever it takes to win.
J.D. Martinez
Martinez is a name Mets fans have wanted for years, and they have a great opportunity to sign him this offseason. The 36-year-old signed a one-year, $10 million contract that proved to be the biggest steal of the 2023 season. Martinez is coming off a monstrous campaign that rivaled his best years in Boston in the late 2010s, bashing 33 home runs and 103 RBI with a sparkling statline of .271/.321/.572 in 113 games. For his efforts, he was named the starting DH for the National League in the All-Star game. Like Soler, Martinez would be perfect for the 5-hole behind Alonso and provide a menacing 4-5 punch. His contract would also likely be similar to Justin Turner’s one-year, $13 million deal he just signed with Toronto, though Martinez could want at least $15 million after the year he had. Regression with age is also a concern with DH, as his 2020-2022 seasons saw him regress before rebounding in 2023. But if he can keep driving in bombs and maintain his power-hitting ways, Martinez would fit right at home in New York.
Mark Vientos
If the Mets decide against pursuing any of the three free agents above, then the young Vientos would be the top in-house option. Vientos, 24, struggled in his limited at-bats last season, but showed flashes of great potential in his increased playing time in September. Mets fans clamored all last season for Buck Showalter to “play the kids!” and give Vientos and other young Mets more playing time. If New York wants to commit to developing their young players, 2024 is the perfect year to give Vientos the opportunity to prove himself in the major leagues with consistent at-bats as their starting DH.
Francisco Alvarez
Though the Mets’ 2023 campaign was a massive disappointment, the emergence of rookie catcher Francisco Alvarez was one of the few bright spots for the team. He established himself as the team’s no. 2 power hitter, hitting 25 highlight-reel worthy bombs and driving in 63 runs. However, Alvarez struggled with consistency, as he was great in May and July and below-average in June and August. If New York rolls with Vientos as their primary DH, Alvarez should fill the role on any of Vientos’ days off so he can get more at-bats to fuel his development. His defense improved greatly as the 2023 season progressed, and more at-bats by DH’ing on his days off from catching would work wonders into making him more consistent at the plate. If Alvarez can do so, he would fill the 5-hole behind Alonso nicely and potentially make a push for the All-Star game this year.