Ranking The Mets 5 Key Free Agents

The New York Mets have a busy offseason ahead of them, as no less than seven players are hitting free agency. Some more important than others, to be sure. They won't be able to keep all of them, so with the help of Jon Heyman of the New York Post, here's a ranking of the Mets' free agents, in order of re-signing importance.

1. Edwin Diaz, RP

Clearly one of the team's MVPs this season, Diaz went out and re-established himself as one of the game's premier closers with a 1.31 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP and an absolutely unheard of 17 strikeouts per 9 innings. 

He is simply irreplaceable for the Mets. Might cost $100M. But his teammate, Drew Smith, is ready to help out. 

Two bags if you sign back with us sugar, one from Steve and one from all the fans chipping in 🤣 Mets fans yall the realest! https://t.co/NMuCNoIDpB

— Drew Smith (@DrewBU3) October 20, 2022

2. Brandon Nimmo, CF

Established himself as an elite leadoff man, stepped up both offensively and defensively in center. And as Heyman notes, "there’s no comparable center fielder on the market."

3a. Chris Bassitt, SP

Bassitt came in and was a more-than-solid No. 3 starter, even holding down the fort as the rotation ace for a while with Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer out. He did stumble in two huge starts at the end of the season, however, as Heyman notes. Nevertheless, he's an important part of the rotation.

3b. Taijuan Walker, SP

Another key rotation piece, he went 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA, and has been solid for the better part of two seasons with the Mets. 

5. Jacob deGrom, SP

He's this low down on the list because of the exorbitant cost. Yes, he is quite possibly the best pitcher of this generation, but he'll be turning 35 next season, and there are durability issues. According to Heyman, "The initial read: Mets people will try to retain him but will draw a line, and that line won’t necessarily surpass $40 million (per year)."

Toss in a couple of important bullpen pieces also to be free agents, Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo, and the Mets are going to have themselves a very busy—and expensive—offseason. Bring out the trumpets...