Well, the moment you’ve all been waiting for is just days away, Mets fans. Pitchers and catchers will report for spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, down in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Now, it’s understandable that expectations from most Mets fans are low for this season. However, the team has some players who have the potential to shine in 2024. Some have been with the team for their whole career so far. Others have just started. So, let’s look at who specifically could make a positive impact on the 2024 New York Mets.
Five Players Who Could Tremendously Help the 2024 Mets
Brandon Nimmo
That’s right. The happiest man in baseball has so much potential to help the team win games in 2024, both offensively and defensively.
The 30-year-old centerfielder is coming off a stellar 2023 season. His power appeared to have increased with 24 home runs, which is the most he has ever hit in his eight-year big-league career. He may or may not be playing some left field this season, but overall he is a solid defender in the outfield, and that will benefit the Mets in the long run.
On SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York” show, host Sal Licata made a statement regarding Nimmo’s potential to be a team captain.
“For whatever reason, the Mets have lacked a true leader,” Licata said. “Nimmo leads by example on and off the field, and he embodies everything that a captain should.”
Nimmo is going to be someone to keep an eye on throughout the season. If he can live up to Licata’s statement and provide more offensive power, you never know he might be the right guy for the team captain position.
Pete Alonso
This is a pretty obvious one. Alonso is going into his sixth season with the Mets. He is also approaching the end of his contract, which at the moment would make him a free agent after this season.
Everyone should know about how much power Alonso has at the plate and what he brings to the whole Mets team and organization. He was the 2019 Rookie of the Year and broke the record for most home runs hit by a rookie with 53 of them that year. That’s on top of being a three-time All-Star and a home run count of 30+ in four of five seasons in his career.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns recently said that the team is “invested” in keeping Alonso in New York.
“We’re certainly invested in keeping Pete a Met,” Stearns said. “I’m hopeful, over time, we’ll be able to work that out.”
Well, Stearns isn’t alone in hoping Alonso will be a Met for life because most Mets fans are hoping for the same thing. Some of them have wondered why the team has yet to make him an offer. At the same time, however, the Mets and Alonso are currently focused on this season. We’ll see how it all plays out on whether or not his 2024 performance will determine his Mets status.
Mark Vientos
This is the guy who’s probably going to get the majority of the DH opportunities, presuming that the Mets don’t sign a more reliable option in free agency.
Vientos had a tough 2023 season, especially toward the end where he went four for his last 34 to finish. Because of the slow start he has gotten off to in his big-league career, many fans are wondering if the Mets can add another bat in the lineup. A guy like J.D. Martinez could do it. If not, we’ll see how productive Vientos can be with the bat, so that’s worth watching.
Francisco Álvarez
This guy is the team’s starting catcher for the foreseeable future. There is no doubt about that.
Álvarez, 22, has become an outstanding player on both sides of the field. Since joining the Mets at the end of the 2022 season, he has hit 26 home runs with a .284 OBP. Defensively, he has a cannon of an arm and can easily catch a runner trying to steal bases.
It’s amazing how Álvarez has emerged as the team’s No.1 catcher at such a young age, so it’ll be worth watching him throughout the season.
Sean Manaea
This guy has a lot to play for in 2024.
Manaea, 32, signed with the Mets on a two-year, $28 million contract with a player opt-out after this season. When he played for the San Francisco Giants last season, it was quite a roller coaster ride. However, he finished strong with a 2.67 ERA in September. Overall, he has a 4.10 career ERA and has lots of experience both as a starting and relief pitcher. He is expected to be in the Mets starting rotation, probably as a No. 3 starter.
If there is any opportunity to show how good he can be, it would be right now with the Mets. Their starting rotation still has a few question marks, but hopefully, Manaea can provide the necessary depth. Also, if he succeeds in 2024, only time will tell if he opts out of his contract after the season ends.
Anyone else?
Yes, there are more exciting players on the Mets that are capable of helping the team win. Edwin Díaz is returning from an injury that kept him out all of last season. It’ll also be something to look forward to when watching Joey Wendle, Adrian Houser, and Jake Diekman make their team debuts. However, it’s the above-mentioned players that Mets fans should keep a close eye on to fulfill their dreams of winning a World Series.
Main Image: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sport
