Pick 13 – New York Mets
Selection: 1B Derrek Lee
The New York Mets were painfully close to a postseason berth in 1996, and the reasons for falling short are obvious: an offense that ran hot and cold, and a bullpen that too often turned close games into losses. The bullpen can—and likely will—be addressed later in the offseason or via trade, but the offense is something they can start fixing right now.
And with the board falling the way it has in this alternate-reality draft, Derrek Lee is staring them right in the face.
Let’s get the caveats out of the way first: Lee isn’t filled out yet. But for the Mets, that’s not a drawback—it’s an opportunity. A projectable 3.5-star talent, Lee brings a rare combination of long-term upside and immediate organizational need. This is a player who will eventually provide plus power, a steady batting average, and—most importantly—elite, Gold Glove–caliber defense at first base. Pair that with his athletic frame, and he even gives you a little positional flexibility early on if the Mets want to experiment.
And make no mistake: first base is exactly where this franchise needs an upgrade.
The Mets rolled out Olmedo Saenz for much of 1996, and while Saenz brings certain utilities, he isn’t the long-term answer for a team trying to break into the next tier of competitiveness. Lee, meanwhile, fits perfectly into a lineup that already features legitimate star power. He won’t be asked to carry the load from day one—he’ll simply be asked to lengthen the lineup, provide competent defense, and grow into the middle-of-the-order threat he’s projected to be.
Historically, the Mets have been one of the best drafting clubs in the league—maybe the best—because they don’t overthink these situations. They don’t chase positional need or short-term trends. They take the best player available.
And at pick 13, Derrek Lee is unquestionably the best player available.
It’s a clean fit, a smart fit, and one of those “of course they got him” selections that explains exactly why the Mets stay competitive year after year.