4. Miami Marlins
1. Luis Arraez- Second Base - .316/.372/.430, 9 HR, 61 RBI, 6 SB
2. Josh Bell - First Base - .258/.345/.439, 23 HR, 78 RBI, 1 SB
3. Jazz Chisholm - Center Field - .245/.309/.456, 28 HR, 83 RBI, 28 SB
4. Jake Burger- Third Base - .249/.309/.456, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 2 SB
5. Bryan De La Cruz- Left Field - .262/.313/.432, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 4 SB
6. Jesus Sanchez- Right Field - .252/.323/.445, 17 HR, 56 RBI, 3 SB
7. Avisail Garcia - Designated Hitter - .238/.297/.386, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 5 SB
8. John Berti - Shortstop - .257/.328/.375, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 21 SB
9. Nick Fortes - Catcher - .240/.304/.389, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 5 SB
The Marlins desperately need to add a bat before the season starts in a couple months. Considering one of their best hitters last year in Jorge Soler is still a free agent, help is still out there. Upgrading at DH and shortstop seems like a no brainer for Miami's front office, once they accomplish that they are a much more competitive roster.
Regardless of who they add, the bottom of the order still leaves a lot to be desired between the catching platoon of Fortes and former Brave Christian Bethancourt. However, Arraez was a hitting machine at the top last season, and Bell, Chisholm, and Burger present some thump in the middle if they all can stay healthy. If the Marlins add a couple more bats, and partner that with the solid pitching staff they could find themselves playing October baseball for the second straight season.
3. New York Mets
1. Brandon Nimmo - Left Field - .270/.367/.445, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 6 SB
2. Jeff McNeil - Second Base - .288/.346/.422, 12 HR, 67 RBI, 6 SB
3. Francisco Lindor - Shortstop - .253/.332/.444, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 21 SB
4. Pete Alonso - First Base - .251/.336/.521, 43 HR, 113 RBI, 4 SB
5. Starling Marte - Right Field - .261/.324/.396, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB
6. D.J. Stewart - Designated Hitter - .226/.324/.425, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 2 SB
7. Francisco Alvarez - Catcher - .232/.319/.463, 27 HR, 71 RBI, 3 SB
8. Brett Bety - Third Base - .249/.332/.428, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 3 SB
9. Harrison Bader - Center Field - .245/.303/.397, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 19 SB
The Mets' expectations are much different entering 2024. After the failed big spending on veteran pitchers last year, New York has been trying to shed payroll since the 2023 trade deadline. Because they were out of the playoff race young players like Francisco Alvarez got a chance to play everyday, and he made a lot of Mets fans proud.
This year, the Mets will see if they can strike gold again with a productive season from someone like Brett Bety at third base. The upside of the bottom half of the lineup partnered with the more than solid top half, makes the Mets' lineup a pretty solid group. Last season they ranked right in the middle of baseball with a wRC+ just above league average (101). Alonso remaining a Met the entire 2024 season will go a long way in determining where they finish this year.