Before the 2024 season, five Mets players—all possessing a great deal of star power—were listed among the top 100 MLB players by ESPN.
The players in question:
Francisco Lindor: No. 27
Pete Alonso: No. 32
Edwin Diaz: No. 71
Kodai Senga: No. 75
Brandon Nimmo: No. 91
Lindor was the fifth-highest shortstop on the list, behind Trea Turner (No. 20)
Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 16)
Corey Seager (No. 6)
Mookie Betts (No. 4)
There’s no denying Betts’s offensive ability, but there’s a little caveat to his listing as a shortstop. He has only appeared in 16 games for the team in his career. He was just named the shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a position that is described as “permanent, for now.”
The only reliever listed higher than Diaz was Josh Hader (No. 61), who had a torn patellar tendon in his knee during a celebration at the World Baseball Classic and missed the whole 2023 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had seven, the Philadelphia Phillies had six, the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros had eight, and only four teams had more players ranked in the top 100 than the Mets.
Regarding the three past aces of the Mets?
No. 50 was Justin Verlander, who will start the season on the IL.
Max Scherzer was not ranked; following surgery for a herniated disc, he is anticipated to be out until approximately June.
Additionally unranked was Jacob deGrom, who is recuperating from Tommy John surgery with an eye toward a summer return.