While most folks are focusing on the starting pitching and bullpen needs the Mets must need to address to prepare for being competitive in 2026, there are other vacancies that you could argue are even more vital to address. While the first base opening right now seems to be internally a choice between the poor defense of Mark Vientos or the never tested contact hitter Jeff McNeil. Neither fill anyone with a lot of confidence but that’s a conversation for another day. Ditto the DH role.
Today let’s instead focus on the Juan Soto outfield. Yes, yes...we did sign a new deal with Tyrone Taylor who is perfectly viable as a 4th outfielder but not suitable to be penciled into the lineup on a daily basis. His glove, arm and legs are certainly commendable but much less so is his bat.
Now many people who have grown accustomed to the Steinbrenner style of buying the best of the best are immediately focusing on the available free agents they expect Steve Cohen to reach into his wallet to fill out the roster with a bunch of All Star caliber players. Who is on that list? It’s pretty short.
Everyone considers now former Astros and Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker at the top of the list though not quite at the same level of crown jewel as Juan Soto. For his career Tucker has been a solid outfielder including a Gold Glove which is consistent with the stated need for run prevention. He’s also a top notch offensive provider having hit the 30 HR plateau a few times, the 100 RBI plateau a few times and the 25-30 SB total three times. For that level of production offensively and defensively he has in his young career earned 27.3 WAR already. Most people feel he’s on tap to hit the $400 million contract level over the course of 10-12 years paying in the $32 to $35 million per year rate. That’s a lot of coin for the lefty swinger, but if they want to build with under-30 players for the long term then it’s hard to argue with considering him.
A certainly reasonable second choice is former Dodger and Yankee Cody Bellinger who opted out from his deal with the Bronx Bombers. He’s also a lefty hitter with a Gold Glove on his mantle. For his career his numbers are a bit more up and down than what you get from Tucker, but he’s actually earned 30.5 WAR despite being just a year older. Rumors have Scott Boras asking for a new deal in the range of 6 years and $182 million which is a lower annual rate with the additional value of positional versatility for left field, center field and first base. Given the highly possible Pete Alonso departure and the big F-You to the Yankees, many are enthusiastic about making Bellinger a Met. Rumor has it that the Yankees are seriously considering trying to bring him back at this increase salary, but money is not an obstacle to Steve Cohen when he decides he wants to get something done.
The third free agent is not nearly in the same class offensively as the first two but he has experience playing for the Mets and is coming off arguably his best ever offensive season split between the Twins and Phillies in 2025. Harrison Bader was kind of a lukewarm addition to the roster in 2024 when the club had a need for defense in center field and he delivered that in spades. Offensively he provided just a .236 average with 12 HRs and 51 RBIs. Considering he was being paid $10.5 million to provide near Gold Glove defense and league average offense many felt it was poor investment. This past year, however, the average rose to .277 with 17 HRs and 54 RBIs. That’s a good output considering his mediocre Mets season saw his salary drop in half for 2025. He’ll likely wind up somewhere between these two levels and likely will want more than a single year.
None of these top level outfield free agents are going to be ideal either from a payroll total level or a run production level, but they are indeed players who provide the glove and arm that the Mets obviously wanted to see replaced when they sent Brandon Nimmo packing. There could indeed be trades on the horizon to address the left field and center field needs given the steep prices for Tucker and Bellinger and the modest offense from Bader.
Bellinger and Tucker are going to cost you
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that Tucker is under 30, but you aren't going to get this guy signed unless you pay him past his 35th birthday
I like Bellinger's ability to play two critical Mets postiions, but I hare when he was born
Bader? Done that.
Me?
The Three Amigos are coming to a mid-season team near you
Until then... sign a one-year deal with someone to play left, Taylor in center. Soto in right until the break
or
If Benge is ready opening day... Benge in center, Taylor in left, Soto in right
Tatis is the answer period.
ReplyDeletePick 5 Mets other than McLean and Soto
DeleteMac, I think you’re wrong with this San Diego wants to get out from under his contract if we take the whole thing you don’t have to pick five players.
DeleteListening to Stearns, it seems clear that he envisions Benge in one of those two spots in ‘26, whether by opening day or soon thereafter. That leaves one spot. The question is whether they want to put Benge in center right out of the gate (a big ask for a rookie who may or may not be a natural CF) or in one of the corners, where he’ll be above average defensively. I also think that they’d rather leave themselves the flexibility to integrate someone like AJ Ewing in ‘27 or ‘28. That would eliminate Tucker and most likely Bellinger (as an OF. Bellinger’s not I possible if Pete goes elsewhere).
ReplyDeleteI think that Stearns will do all he can to add a CF on a shorter (3 yrs or less) deal. Bader is possible, but I think a trade for someone like Duran, or Robert Jr., or Byron Buxton is the most likely scenario.
If Bellinger is so good, why does he change teams ever year or so? There is something not being said here by the teams that have let him go. I would prefer not to find out the hard way. I like the idea of improving a good team to a great team in mid-season by bringing up "ready" prospects.
ReplyDeleteBellinger hit well because of Yankee Stadium dimensions. Citi dimensions will depress Bellinger’s stats, just as happened with Curtis Granderson. Move the fences in. Oh yeah, I already said that.
ReplyDelete