New York Mets Potential Free Agent Target Predicted to Join National League Winners
It's very clear the New York Mets are operating this offseason like they have no plans on contending in the upcoming year.
Not only has president of baseball operations David Stearns expressed this, but their moves this winter, or lack thereof, has been evident of that strategy as well.
Without looking to tie themselves up with long-term contracts, the Mets are looking for veteran bats to come in and fill out their lineup for the upcoming season.
J.D. Martinez is seen as a piece who could protect their superstar slugger, Pete Alonso, in the batting order and they've also been linked to Justin Turner at times.
Turner would be an interesting addition because, even at 38 years old, he slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI across 146 games with the Boston Red Sox in 2023.
He would provide solid hitting for New York and be an insurance policy at third base if some of their young players expected to get the majority of work there struggle.
However, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports is predicting Turner will be signed by the National League winners, Arizona Diamondbacks.
"We suspect his next team will be content to let him focus on hitting and hitting alone, but a little extra optionality never hurt anyone. We'll stick him with the Diamondbacks since they've had interest in adding him to their lineup in each of the last few winters," he writes.
Based on that prediction of what his role will look like in 2024, it seems like the Mets would also be looking to use Turner in that way.
While New York isn't viewing themselves as contenders, they still want to field a solid team with cheap options that don't hurt them in the future.
Turner would be that type of player.
Finances is what likely will decide his decision on which team he joins.
If the Diamondbacks are willing to offer him more money than the Mets because they see him as an ideal addition to their team that made the World Series last season, he probably would select them.
