The Hunt For A Mets LHHOFer

The Mets are "diligently monitoring" the market for left-handed-hitting outfielders such as Johnny Damon, Kosuke Fukudome, Rick Ankiel, Raul Ibanez and Juan Pierre, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. Crasnick adds that the surplus of players who fit that bill affords the cash-strapped Mets with some much-needed negotiating leverage

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/mets-monitoring-outfield-market.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Johnny David Damon (Caveman)
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 205 lb.

Born: November 5, 1973 in Fort Riley, KS (Age 38)
High School: Dr. Phillips (Orlando, FL)
Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1st round (35th pick) of the 1992 amateur draft.
Signed June 23, 1992. (All Transactions)
Debut: August 12, 1995
Teams (by GP): Royals/RedSox/Yankees/Athletics/Rays/... 1995-2011
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent, 1 yr/$5.25M (11) (details)[*]
Service Time (01/2012): 16.051, Free Agent: 2012 [*], Agents: Scott Boras [*]

Kosuke Fukudome
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Left, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0", Weight: 200 lb.

Born: April 26, 1977 in Kagoshima, Japan (Age 34)
High School: PL Gakuen (Osaka City, Osaka)
Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs in 2007. (All Transactions)
Debut: March 31, 2008
Teams (by GP): Cubs/Indians 2008-2011
2012 Contract Status: 2nd-Year Arb Eligible, 4 yrs/$48M (08-11) (details)[*]
Service Time (01/2012): 4.000, Arb Eligible: 2012, Free Agent: 2014 [*], Agents: Joe Urbon, previously: Steve Hilliard [*]

Richard Alexander Ankiel
Positions: Centerfielder and Pitcher
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 225 lb.

Born: July 19, 1979 in Fort Pierce, FL (Age 32)
High School: Port St. Lucie (Port St. Lucie, FL)
Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1997 amateur draft.
Signed August 28, 1997. (All Transactions)
Debut: August 23, 1999
Teams (by GP): Cardinals/Nationals/Braves/Royals 1999-2011
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent, 1 yr/$1.5M (11) (details)[*]
Service Time (01/2012): 8.033, Free Agent: 2012 [*], Agents: Scott Boras [*]

Raul Javier Ibanez
Positions: Leftfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Left, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 220 lb.

Born: June 2, 1972 in New York, NY (Age 39)
High School: Sunset (Miami, FL)
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 36th round of the 1992 amateur draft.
Signed June 29, 1992. (All Transactions)
Debut: August 1, 1996
Teams (by GP): Mariners/Phillies/Royals 1996-2011
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent, 3 yrs/$31.5M (09-11) (details)[*]
Service Time (01/2012): 14.020, Free Agent: 2012 [*], Agents: ACES [*]

Juan D'Vaughn Pierre
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 5' 11", Weight: 175 lb.

Born: August 14, 1977 in Mobile, AL (Age 34)
High School: Alexandria (Alexandria, LA)
School: University of South Alabama
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round of the 1998 amateur draft.
Signed June 4, 1998. (All Transactions)
Debut: August 7, 2000
Teams (by GP): Marlins/Dodgers/Rockies/WhiteSox/Cubs 2000-2011
2012 Contract Status: Free Agent, 5 yrs/$44M (07-11) (details)[*]
Service Time (01/2012): 11.056, Free Agent: 2012 [*], Agents: Mark Pieper [*]

(update:  Pierre has signed with the Phillies)