Unlike last November, when their focus was clearly on one player, the Mets enter free agency with surveillance in several directions.
Given his team’s holes in the infield, outfield, starting rotation and bullpen, general manager Sandy Alderson will need to be prudent in dividing his available dollars as the Mets attempt to rebuild a team that appears only vaguely similar to the one that arrived in spring training in 2017.
Yoenis Cespedes’ return in November on a four-year contract worth $110 million basically opened and closed free agency last winter for the Mets, who waited until late January to re-up lefty reliever Jerry Blevins.
Now the Mets need quantity, while monitoring a payroll that reached the $155 million neighborhood last season, the highest level in Alderson’s tenure. The GM has previously indicated the 2018 payroll would probably be reduced, leaving him with significantly less to spend on new players than the roughly $60 million removed from the books with the expired contracts of Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson and Neil Walker.
Raises to arbitration-eligible players such as Jacob deGrom, AJ Ramos and Jeurys Familia will slice into that available money. Already, the club has picked up the options on Asdrubal Cabrera ($8.5 million) and Blevins ($7 million).
Familia, Ramos and Blevins give the Mets a respectable bullpen nucleus, but the club will pursue at least one arm through free agency, with names such as Bryan Shaw, Brandon Morrow and Reed as potential fits. The top of the reliever class includes Wade Davis and Greg Holland.In the rotation the Mets may seek an affordable option who can slot behind Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom, giving the Mets insurance if the team doesn’t receive enough health from Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler and Seth Lugo. The possibilities could include lefty Jason Vargas, who had a solid season with the Royals and would be reunited with pitching coach Dave Eiland.
J.D. Martinez is the top available outfield bat, but would the Mets sign another $100 million player, just one year removed from the Cespedes contract? More likely the Mets will pursue a reunion with Bruce, but the veteran outfielder might prefer to avoid a return to New York, especially with his hometown Astros potentially in need of a lefty outfield bat.
Michael Conforto is expected to begin the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery to repair the capsule in his left shoulder, leaving Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo as the center-field options heading into 2017. Conforto would play center upon returning if the Mets were to sign a corner outfielder. But if the Mets decide to change course, Lorenzo Cain is a top available center-field option.
Cabrera can play third base or shift to second if needed, but the Mets could use another piece to an infield that includes shortstop Amed Rosario, first baseman Dominic Smith and utilityman Wilmer Flores. An intriguing possibility could be pursuing a trade with the payroll-slashing Marlins for second baseman Dee Gordon that also would solve the Mets’ need for a leadoff hitter. The Mets are not expected to pursue either of the Royals’ top free agents, Mike Moustakas or Eric Hosmer.
Walker, who was dealt to the Brewers in August, could be considered on the free-agent front. The Mets also haven’t ruled out the possibility of a reunion with their only free agent, Jose Reyes, who has expressed a desire to finish his career with the club.
Alderson has indicated he is content with the catching tandem of Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. The top free agent at the position is Jonathan Lucroy, whom the Mets tried to acquire at the trade deadline in 2016.
Possible targets
Bryan Shaw (reliever): Right-hander is familiar to Mickey Callaway from their time together in Cleveland. Shaw led the AL in appearances three of the last four years.
Jay Bruce (outfielder): Bruce has said publicly he would be open to a return with the Mets, and the team has a need for power bat in the outfield.
Jason Vargas (starting pitcher): Veteran lefty won 18 games last season for the Royals and would give the Mets a solid option behind Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom without breaking the bank.