Best New York Mets Fits Among Remaining Top Free Agents

The New York Mets haven’t made waves in free agency — at least not yet.

Their pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto may change that. But it would be a costly move that could pay off for years.

Otherwise, the Mets have made low-level moves to improve their bullpen for next season. But there are still moves to be made.

Earlier this year, The Athletic published its Top 40 free agents. Some have flown off the board, such as Shohei Ohtani. But, as of this writing, more than half of the free agents listed are still available.

Here are the five players that would be the best fit for the Mets among the remaining free agents on the list.

SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The Mets have met with him twice, and team owner Steve Cohen flew to meet with him in Japan before Yamamoto even came stateside. The Mets will have to fork over the cash — he figures to cost more than $300 million, with the posting fee. But he’s the best pitcher in Japan and a three-time Pacific League MVP. You can build an entire pitching staff around him.

2B/OF Whit Merrifield

The injury to Ronny Mauricio saps the Mets’ depth overall. Merrifield, a three-time All-Star, would make a great utility player whose natural position is likely Mauricio’s best future fit — second base. The Mets have depth there with Jeff McNeil and Joey Wendle. But Merrifield could be had on a one-year deal with an option and he could just float from position to position and give the Mets what they need.

1B/DH Justin Turner

The Mets are reportedly interested in a reunion with their former prospect. Sure, it would be hard to play him at first base if Pete Alonso is still in town. But, at age 38, he would make a quality primary DH who batted .276 with 31 doubles, 23 home runs and 96 RBIs last season. Plus, he could even play at third base in a pinch.

DH J.D. Martinez

The acquisition of Ohtani in Los Angeles made the veteran slugger superfluous. For the team that signs him, they would get a 36-year-old who hit 33 home runs and drove in 103 runs in 2023. He’s at the point in his career where a one- or two-year deal is the expectation. Put him in a lineup with Alonso and Francisco Lindor and let ’er rip.

SP Jordan Montgomery

If the Mets are the losers for Yamamoto, expect them to try and lock Montgomery down fast. He blossomed late this season and helped the Texas Rangers win their first World Series title. He would join the Mets with a polished repertoire, additional confidence and fall nicely into a rotation that is now led by Rookie of the Year finalist Kodai Senga.