New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The New York Mets and free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract on Thursday. After a long stay in free agency, Martinez lands in Queens one week before Opening Day to offer the Mets a formidable protection bat in their lineup behind slugging superstar Pete Alonso. The 36-year-old Martinez is a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger and slashed a robust .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs, 27 doubles, and 103 RBI over 432 at-bats (113 games) for the Los Angeles Dodgers a year ago. He figures to immediately slot into the heart of New York's order as their everyday DH, likely taking some shine away from the fantasy appeal and RBI upside of former top prospect Francisco Alvarez in the process. Martinez's 221 NFBC ADP will rise with the move, and managers who have already drafted should make sure the veteran slugger isn't floating around waiver wires in shallow mixed leagues.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing within a week, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Senga got an MRI exam on Tuesday and doctors cleared him to begin activity. The Mets will wait until he passes their internal strength tests before he does so to make sure he's ready, according to the skipper. Mendoza said the 31-year-old's ramp-up period will take "at least" six weeks, so Senga is going to miss the first month of the regular season and probably most of May as well. He's rehabbing his way back from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder. Senga had a solid first year in the big leagues for the Mets in 2023, but his shoulder injury this spring has put a serious dent in his 2024 fantasy value.

New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill has won an Opening Day starting rotation spot due to Kodai Senga's (shoulder) injury, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. As a result, Jose Butto will open the year in the minor leagues, although he'll likely be the next starter up, potentially as early as the team's 13-day stretch of no off days in April. The 28-year-old Megill earned his rotation spot in New York by posting a 3.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while walking four and striking out 16 in 15 2/3 Grapefruit League innings this spring. The former eighth-round pick by the Mets in 2018 out of Arizona went 9-8 last year with a 4.70 ERA and 1.57 WHIP while walking 58 and striking out a career-high 105 hitters in 126 1/3 innings over 25 starts. Megill now becomes a rotation option for fantasy managers in NL-only leagues.

New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (arm fatigue), who hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due to arm fatigue, threw a bullpen session Tuesday. The 28-year-old touched the mid-90s with his velocity. He expects to return to game action before the end of the week. Reid-Foley has had a strong spring, throwing four scoreless innings with a 0.25 WHIP and seven strikeouts. He should be a strong candidate to make the Opening Day roster if he is healthy. While the Mets' rotation depth may be lacking, their bullpen is rather deep with late-inning roles already determined. As such, Reid-Foley does not offer much fantasy value at this time.

New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (hip) threw his fourth bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday, tossing 15 pitches. "I feel like a real player again," the 28-year-old said. "It feels different, but it feels different in a better way." Peterson underwent surgery to fix a labrum tear in his left hip last November and is trending toward a late May return. Had he been healthy, he may have had a chance to earn a rotation spot to start 2024. Peterson has been erratic throughout his career but has compiled several successful seasons. Given the lack of depth in the Mets rotation, Peterson could become a relevant fantasy name once he returns to the team.