This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo's Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
So far this offseason, Steve Cohen’s Mets have shelled out close to half a billion dollars on free agent contracts for Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, José Quintana, David Robertson and Omar Narváez, while also swinging a trade for reliever Brooks Raley.
Would you believe there’s still more to do on general manager Billy Eppler’s agenda?
“A lot of the heavy lifting is done,” Eppler said this week, “but it doesn’t stop us from being opportunistic.”
Heading into the offseason, the Mets saw themselves as having eight or nine spots to fill on their roster. So far, they’ve filled eight with players on guaranteed contracts. There is still room in the following areas:
Bullpen: As things stand, the Mets are set to feature a bullpen of Díaz, Robertson, Raley and Drew Smith, plus a laundry list of pitchers who will compete for jobs in Spring Training. There is certainly room to add another veteran into the mix, with New York native Adam Ottavino a possibility to return. Seth Lugo and Trevor May are also out there, as well as dozens of free agents from other teams. Generally speaking, this market tends to take more distinct shape in January.
DH/Outfielder: Although Mets officials have expressed satisfaction with last season’s power output, a few additional homers couldn’t hurt. Right now, Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf are prepared to reprise their roles in a designated hitter platoon, with prospects Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty vying for at-bats as well. But if the Mets want to give Álvarez and Baty additional seasoning in the Minors, it would make sense to fortify this area with another bat. Possibilities include right-handed-hitting free agents J.D. Martínez or Trey Mancini, as well as lefty Michael Conforto, whose agent Scott Boras says he’s seeking a two-year deal.