Former Most Valuable Player, Six-Time All-Star Still Available; Mets Are Logical Landing Spot
The New York Mets could use another player to help fill the designated hitter role.
While this is the case, New York may not end up spending big on a slugger. The Mets have been linked to multiple and one player who has popped up a lot is J.D. Martinez. He is one of the top offensive players available, but if the Mets signed him he would likely be penciled in as the club's designated hitter every day because he doesn't have defensive upside.
The Mets have made it known that young slugger Mark Vientos will get an extended opportunity with the team and likely will see time as the designated hitter. If the Mets sign Martinez, it would take away plenty of at-bats from Vientos.
While the club plans to give Vientos more of a chance, that doesn't mean they shouldn't sign someone else as well.
One player who could make sense is 2010 National League Most Valuable Player and six-time All-Star Joey Votto.
Votto is 40 years old but is looking for another opportunity for the 2024 season. If the Mets were to bring someone like him in, he could serve mainly in a bench role while seeing at-bats as the designated hitter on occasion.
He has had an extremely successful career and is a .294 career hitter with 356 home runs. Votto would be the perfect player to bring in to help mentor some of the young players on New York's roster on a cheap deal. Plus, Votto did hit 14 home runs last season in just 65 games so he does have some pop left in his bat.
