Ji-Man Choi, having signed a new split contract with the New York Mets, is poised to join the team, but his prospects for significant playtime in the major leagues appear slim. The 33-year-old left-handed first baseman, likely facing a predominantly minor league stint, lacks a clear path to the big leagues.
To secure major league at-bats with the Mets, Choi’s role is primarily seen as a backup option at the designated hitter position. Coming off a challenging season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, Choi’s notable attributes include his previously demonstrated power and a commendable .352 on-base percentage during his prime years with the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, his performance dipped significantly in 2023, evidenced by his .163/.239/.385 slash line and a poor showing with the Padres, resulting in minimal interest from other teams during the offseason.
While Choi might find opportunities if he outperforms DJ Stewart, factors such as his higher contract earnings, limited defensive capabilities outside of first base, and being in constant danger of designation for assignment make his inclusion on the Opening Day roster a long shot.
Choi’s most plausible chance for at-bats lies in substituting for Stewart, the team’s primary left-handed power hitter off the bench, or if Pete Alonso were to face an extended absence due to injury. Despite being only slightly below average defensively, Choi’s experience makes him a more viable option at first base than less experienced alternatives like Mark Vientos.
However, there’s a possibility that Choi could be designated for assignment at some point, with his split contract terms potentially making him less appealing to other teams. While Stewart’s success against right-handed pitchers and his positional flexibility give him an initial edge, a strong performance by Choi, particularly reminiscent of his September form, could prompt the Mets to explore his MLB experience further.