The New York Mets have bolstered their roster by signing several power-hitting first basemen to minor league deals, aiming to enhance depth and competition within the organization. Notable among these signings are Luke Voit, Joey Meneses, and Jared Young.
Luke Voit: A Familiar Face Returns
Luke Voit, a former American League home run leader with the New York Yankees, has returned to New York by signing a minor league contract with the Mets. Voit led the AL with 22 home runs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After stints with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals in 2022, where he combined for 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, Voit joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. However, his time in Milwaukee was short-lived, as he was released after batting .221 with no home runs in 22 games. Following his release, Voit signed with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, where he showcased his power by hitting 14 home runs with a 1.058 OPS in 37 games. This performance earned him an invitation to the Mets’ major league spring training in 2024, where he is expected to compete for playing time as a designated hitter.
Joey Meneses: Adding International Experience
The Mets also signed Joey Meneses to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Meneses, 32, spent the last three seasons with the Washington Nationals, where he played primarily as a designated hitter and first baseman. In 2023, he appeared in 154 games, batting .275 with 13 home runs and 69 RBIs. Meneses began his professional career in the Atlanta Braves’ system and later played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox organizations. He also had a stint with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, adding international experience to his resume. Meneses’ signing provides the Mets with a versatile right-handed bat capable of contributing both at first base and in the outfield.
Jared Young: A Versatile Addition
In December 2024, the Mets signed infielder Jared Young to a one-year contract, adding further depth at first base. Young, 29, is a left-handed hitter from Canada who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the 2017 amateur draft. He made his major league debut with the Cubs, appearing in 22 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and recording a .210 batting average with two home runs. After a stint with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, where he batted .285 with 11 home runs, Young played 38 games for the Doosan Bears in Korea, hitting .326 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. His versatility is notable, having played every position in the minors except catcher and center field, though all 12 of his big league starts have come at first base.
Strategic Implications for the Mets
These signings reflect the Mets’ strategic approach to building roster depth and fostering competition, particularly at first base. The team’s star first baseman, Pete Alonso, became a free agent following the 2024 season, leaving a significant void in the lineup. Alonso, who led the Mets with consistent power-hitting performances, declined a seven-year, $158 million extension and remains unsigned. In response, the Mets have instructed infielders Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to begin practicing at first base, indicating a potential shift in the team’s infield dynamics.
Additionally, prospect Ryan Clifford has emerged as a potential future replacement for Alonso. Clifford, acquired from the Houston Astros in the 2023 Justin Verlander trade, showcased his power in Double-A Binghamton by hitting 18 home runs with an .815 OPS over 99 games. At 21, he is currently ranked as the No. 97 prospect in baseball and No. 4 in the Mets system.
The Mets’ recent signings of Voit, Meneses, and Young, along with the development of in-house talent like Vientos, Baty, and Clifford, underscore the organization’s commitment to maintaining a potent lineup. These moves not only provide immediate depth but also offer long-term solutions as the team navigates the potential departure of key players and seeks to build a sustainable winning culture.
As the 2025 season approaches, the competition among these players during spring training will be pivotal in determining the Mets’ infield configuration and overall offensive strategy. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how these additions impact the team’s performance and whether they can fill the substantial shoes left by Alonso’s potential departure.
The New York Mets have bolstered their roster by signing several power-hitting first basemen to minor league deals, aiming to enhance depth and competition within the organization. Notable among these signings are Luke Voit, Joey Meneses, and Jared Young.
Luke Voit: A Familiar Face Returns
Luke Voit, a former American League home run leader with the New York Yankees, has returned to New York by signing a minor league contract with the Mets. Voit led the AL with 22 home runs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After stints with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals in 2022, where he combined for 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, Voit joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. However, his time in Milwaukee was short-lived, as he was released after batting .221 with no home runs in 22 games. Following his release, Voit signed with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, where he showcased his power by hitting 14 home runs with a 1.058 OPS in 37 games. This performance earned him an invitation to the Mets’ major league spring training in 2024, where he is expected to compete for playing time as a designated hitter.
Joey Meneses: Adding International Experience
The Mets also signed Joey Meneses to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Meneses, 32, spent the last three seasons with the Washington Nationals, where he played primarily as a designated hitter and first baseman. In 2023, he appeared in 154 games, batting .275 with 13 home runs and 69 RBIs. Meneses began his professional career in the Atlanta Braves’ system and later played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox organizations. He also had a stint with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, adding international experience to his resume. Meneses’ signing provides the Mets with a versatile right-handed bat capable of contributing both at first base and in the outfield.
Jared Young: A Versatile Addition
In December 2024, the Mets signed infielder Jared Young to a one-year contract, adding further depth at first base. Young, 29, is a left-handed hitter from Canada who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the 2017 amateur draft. He made his major league debut with the Cubs, appearing in 22 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and recording a .210 batting average with two home runs. After a stint with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, where he batted .285 with 11 home runs, Young played 38 games for the Doosan Bears in Korea, hitting .326 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. His versatility is notable, having played every position in the minors except catcher and center field, though all 12 of his big league starts have come at first base.
Strategic Implications for the Mets
These signings reflect the Mets’ strategic approach to building roster depth and fostering competition, particularly at first base. The team’s star first baseman, Pete Alonso, became a free agent following the 2024 season, leaving a significant void in the lineup. Alonso, who led the Mets with consistent power-hitting performances, declined a seven-year, $158 million extension and remains unsigned. In response, the Mets have instructed infielders Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to begin practicing at first base, indicating a potential shift in the team’s infield dynamics.
Additionally, prospect Ryan Clifford has emerged as a potential future replacement for Alonso. Clifford, acquired from the Houston Astros in the 2023 Justin Verlander trade, showcased his power in Double-A Binghamton by hitting 18 home runs with an .815 OPS over 99 games. At 21, he is currently ranked as the No. 97 prospect in baseball and No. 4 in the Mets system.
The Mets’ recent signings of Voit, Meneses, and Young, along with the development of in-house talent like Vientos, Baty, and Clifford, underscore the organization’s commitment to maintaining a potent lineup. These moves not only provide immediate depth but also offer long-term solutions as the team navigates the potential departure of key players and seeks to build a sustainable winning culture.
As the 2025 season approaches, the competition among these players during spring training will be pivotal in determining the Mets’ infield configuration and overall offensive strategy. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how these additions impact the team’s performance and whether they can fill the substantial shoes left by Alonso’s potential departure.
