NY Mets: 3 players who are “must keeps” this upcoming offseason

The 2023 fourth place, 52-64 New York Mets clearly have a ton of work cut out for them in the ever anticipated offseason. While General Manager Billy Eppler isn’t exactly every fan’s favorite, he must bring these 3 faces back to Queens in 2024 for the team to be successful and the fans not to grow even more irate.

When playing the dangerous and controversial game of “who stays and who goes,” one must really truly evaluate the people you want staying. While it’s unfortunate that you just can’t keep everyone, those staying for the long haul must have youth, good offensive production numbers and a solid glove/pitching resume on their side. Preferably both, as that would help their cause if they could contribute both as an offensive standout and defensive asset. Here’s my list of who the team desperately needs.

3. Shortstop, Fransisco Lindor.

While it’s evident that the 29 year old Shortstop has brought a ton of electric energy and good vibes to the clubhouse, along with a great glove at his position and the ability to drive in runs, the team relies on his enthusiasm and bat more than most realize. Lindor may not have had a career best year in a Mets uniform yet, however, he’s due for one of those. While 2022 was his visibly best season in Queens, his 2023 hasn’t been awful at all. Let’s take a look.

Lindor wowed with the then Cleveland Indians, now Cleveland Guardians, back in 2018, arguably his career best year. That year, Lindor hit a massive 38 home runs, 92 RBIs, and had a .277 batting average.

He followed that up in 2019 with 32 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .284 batting average.

In 2021, things changed when Lindor came to a very worn down Mets team. While Lindor disappointed his first year, his 2022 was a bounce back year. Here is how that went.

Lindor had a good 2022, hitting 26 home runs, 107 batted in, and a .270 batting average.

This season so far, he’s hit 22 home runs, 69 RBIs with a .246 batting average.

These numbers are hopeful and suggest Lindor could very well have a great 2024 and beyond if he’s healthy, which he usually is. Lindor is listed at #3 here on my list of must keeps.

#2. Closer, Edwin Diaz

Everyone knows the feeling of anxiety late in games when a game is on the line and you need to get those key outs. The Mets have been so fortunate to have an elite closer who not only gets the job done well but does it nearly every single chance he gets. His name is Edwin Diaz.

Diaz, 29, sadly went down and out celebrating team Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic during this year’s World Baseball Classic. While celebrating the win injured the star closer, it had almost every Mets fan alive googling how to donate their ACL.

Here is a closer look at just why Diaz is so beneficial to this ever desperate franchise needy of players of his caliber. Here’s the stats.

In 2022, Diaz wowed with a 3-1 record, 61 GP, 32 saves and a 1.31 ERA.

Diaz was arguably the best closer in baseball before his unfortunate injury.

He’s due to return for the 2024 season. The team should obviously proceed with caution and not overwork him, yet I am sure that Diaz will be back to elite form. While it’s obviously going to be somewhat of a transition back to the player he was before missing a whole season, a player of his kind could get the job done. This is why Diaz is #2 on this list.

#1 First Baseman, Pete Alonso

This should not be much of a surprise to Mets fans and baseball fans as a whole. It’s safe to say that Alonso, 28, has been such a leader, both on and off the field, while displaying a ton of power with quality defense that’s often underlooked due to his main attribute being his hot bat. Here is a closer look at what makes Alonso just so good, his stats and his 4 career in New York.

With 2019 being Alonso’s rookie year, everyone expected him to be good, but he was simply outstanding. He rightfully went on to win the NL Rookie of the Year award, hitting 53 home runs, 120 RBIs and batted .260 on the season.

While Alonso also won the Home Run Derby twice, he had a few more excellent years in the big apple. In 2021, he hit 37 home runs, 94 RBIs and had a .262 Batting Average.

2022 was even better for Alonso. It went a little like this, 40 home runs hit, 131 RBIs, and a .271 batting average on the year.

So far, this season is great too, however, it’s to be noted the star is at the end of his current one year deal. Here is a look at Alonso this year, he’s hit 35 home runs, 87 RBIs, and is batting .227 so far.

Alonso has been incredible for the 4 years he’s been on the team, his leadership and production numbers deserves whatever he wants salary wise and the captain role. If the team fails to bring Alonso back, it will never recover from the gaping hole that would create. It would take many years to find someone with similar season numbers and power ranking numbers in general.

To put things into perspective, the team must bring these 3 key Mets back or risk spiraling even further away from playoff contention then they already are. The damage is done, it is bad. These 3 Mets are worthy of keeping around in the long haul.