Mets aren't done: 3 more predictions, and our way-too-early 2024 roster projection

Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings came and went with the New York Mets not making as much as a ripple in the baseball landscape.

The splash came from the Mets' nearest neighbors as the Yankees landed superstar outfielder Juan Soto in a trade with the Padres. Then, the Dodgers blasted into the conversation by signing Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million deal.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns asserted that the team has "plenty of time" to address its needs before those moves were made. Now, the urgency has ratcheted up ahead of the 2024 season.

"I think the offseason, in general, we’re trying to create as strong a team as we possibly can this season coming up," Stearns said when the Winter Meetings got underway earlier this month. "We’ve been very open. We continue to look to add to our pitching staff, continue to add to our run prevention group, in general, and that continues."

Despite several smaller moves, including the signing of Luis Severino, the Mets' major needs atop the starting rotation and in the outfield remain. And another blow to the lineup came earlier this week when Ronny Mauricio was lost to a torn ACL, which will require surgery.

Despite a long-term vision of building a sustainable future, the Mets still have their sights set on competing for a playoff spot this season. The next two months will be pivotal toward building that infrastructure.

Here is how we predict the Mets to fill their gaps in the roster ahead of 2024:

Mets sign free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The Mets front office showed how committed they are to trying to land Yamamoto when they made the 14-hour-plus flight to Japan to court the 25-year-old right-hander before the Winter Meetings. According to a report by the New York Post's Joel Sherman, a contingent of Mets management and coaches then had dinner with Yamamoto on Saturday.

The Mets have a massive void atop their starting rotation, and Yamamoto is one of the few, if not only, available free agents for whom they would be willing to break the bank ahead of 2024.

Last season, the team proved it can help a Japanese star make a seamless transition to the major leagues as they catered Kodai Senga's workload to help him finish with 202 strikeouts and seventh in National League Cy Young voting. That care and potential relationship in the clubhouse is not lost on Yamamoto, who would instantly become the face of the rotation.

With his young age and potential impact for the next decade, the Mets outbid the Yankees and Dodgers and land their ace on a 10-year, $300 million contract with an opt out after the fourth season.

Mets add to depth with Justin Turner, Matt Moore

The injury to Mauricio put a dent in the potential of the Mets' infield next season. Mauricio, who flashed his big bat down the stretch in September, figured to compete for playing time at second base, third base and the outfield.

Now, the Mets move forward with Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, who both struggled at various points during in their rookie seasons, as their likely third-base tandem. To feel more comfortable about their depth at the position, the Mets bring Justin Turner back to New York on a one-year deal worth $13 million.

Turner, who could also provide some pop from the designated hitter spot, posted a .800 OPS with 23 home runs and 96 RBI with the Red Sox last season.

The Mets also have a lingering hole in the bullpen after Adam Ottavino turned down his $6.75 million player option for 2024. Stearns has mentioned the need for versatility out of the bullpen, and hard-throwing lefty Matt Moore, who actually fared better against right-handed hitters last season, would provide another strong option late in games.

Mets bring in defense with Kevin Kiermaier

The Mets tinkered with shifting Brandon Nimmo into one of the corner outfield positions late last season after he suffered a quad injury in August. A move like that could serve to protect their star outfielder, who is entering his second season of an eight-year, $162 million deal.

While Nimmo continues to show improvement defensively, the 30-year-old's arm continues to lag behind. A signing to bring in Kevin Kiermaier on a one- or two-year would bolster the Mets' run prevention immediately with his range in center field.

Kiermaier, who is regarded as one of the top defensive outfielders in the game, is coming off his fourth Gold Glove with the Blue Jays last season. The 33-year-old also posted a .741 OPS with 58 runs last season.

Mets' 2024 roster projection

Catchers: Francisco Alvarez, Omar Narvaez

Infielders: Pete Alonso, Brett Baty, Francisco Lindor, Ronny Mauricio (injured list), Jeff McNeil, Joey Wendle, Justin Turner

Outfielders: Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, DJ Stewart, Kevin Kiermaier

Designated hitter: Mark Vientos

Starting rotation: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tylor Megill, David Peterson (injured list), Jose Quintana, Kodai Senga, Luis Severino

Bullpen: Austin Adams, Phil Bickford, Edwin Diaz, Jorge Lopez, Matt Moore, Brooks Raley, Drew Smith, Michael Tonkin

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets trade news, free agency, roster projections for 2024 MLB season