Reese Kaplan -- So, If Mike Trout Isn't An Option...

Last week I looked at catchers the Mets could target to improve their team.  Today let’s turn our attention to the centerfielders who either are or are rumored to be available.  If the season started today either Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto would be in CF which is not going to give anyone the warm and fuzzies when it comes to confidence at manning the position.  When you consider that the left fielder could be a platoon of Dom Smith and J.D. Davis, it makes the prospect of mediocre defense up the middle that much more concerning.

The Trade Candidates

• Starling Marte – By all accounts Marte’s defensive game is in decline and he currently earns $11.5 million, under control for one more year.  What it would take to get him is the rub.
• Jackie Bradley, Jr. – The bat has never lived up to the glove and even the defensive numbers took a bit of a hit this past season.  He’s only available for one year and since the Red Sox decided to retain him, getting him would be a rather expensive rental for the 2020 season.  He’s in Marte’s price range.
• Manuel Margot – He’s most definitely a flashy centerfielder with modest power and speed.  Think Juan Lagares.  The only real appeal here is his price which currently puts him at 1^st year arbitration eligible.  He’s coming off a 2019 in which he slashed .234/12/37 with 20 SBs.  Not a bad choice and probably under $2 million salary.
• Harrison Bader – He’s fallen out of favor in St. Louis and can do the highlight reel defense with the best of them.  His offensive numbers, such as they are, pretty much mirror what you’d get from Margot.  Perhaps he flashes a little more power and a little less speed.  He’s minimum wage for 2020 and not a FA until 2024.  He’s a better choice than Juan Lagares and Manuel Margo on an economic basis alone. 

The Free Agents

• Brett Gardner – The first perhaps former Yankee on this list is a left handed hitter with power and some speed.  He’s going to be 36 during the upcoming season and his defense has deteriorated.  His last contract was quite expensive.  I’d steer clear.
• Jacoby Ellsbury – The second former Yankee is a few years younger, but hasn’t played since 2017 and save for two outlier seasons in 2011 and 2014, he’s been pretty much a one-trick pony when he can play – speed.  His defense has deteriorated and between the injury history and the fact he’s another left-handed bat, he’s likely not a good fit either.
• Cameron Maybin – The oft-injured outfielder has never really reached the full potential many saw in him.  He’s well-traveled but did good work for the Yankees in a part-time role last year, hitting in the .280s, clubbing 11 HRs and stealing 9 bases.  At age 33 in 2021 he may have something left in the tank but his defensive numbers in CF are average at best.  He was a minor league invite last year and played for sub-minimum.  He would likely be around $2.5 million.
• Shogo Akiyama – A Japanese option is a plus defender in centerfield with a lifetime .301 batting average playing for Seibu.  He always has a very high on base percentage and steals in the double digits, and each of the last three years he’s eclipsed 20 HRs.  He is left handed (which doesn’t help the balance in the Mets lineup), but as a first-time major leaguer at age 32 he likely wouldn’t break the bank.

Waiver Wire

• Kevin Pillar – The Giants just last night curiously indeed let him go in the non-tender category.  The Mets may have their answer in centerfield.  Pillar was always a well-above-average centerfielder who had his best season in the major last year with a .259/22/88 slash line to go along with 14 stolen bases.  He’s a right handed hitter who earned $5.8 million last year.  He’s in his final year of arbitration eligibility as a 31 year old and will be free agent eligible in 2021. He'll probably see a bump to the $8 million or so price range.

Of these options, I would pursue Pillar NOW, then Maybin then Akiyama.  All would cost only money and no sacrifice of prospects who might be better used to secure someone like Josh Hader.