Mets reportedly linked to 1B/OF Adam Lind

Lind spent last season with Washington and could be a viable option if the Mets decide to platoon at first base

Buster Olney of ESPN reported Monday that the New York Mets are interested in free agent Adam Lind. The 34-year old spent last year with Washington and split time between first base and left field. He appeared in 116 games for the Nationals.

Lind has bounced around the league in the latter part of his career after spending his first nine seasons with Toronto. He has played for three different teams in the last three years (Milwaukee-2015, Seattle-2016, Washington-2017).

More from Mets Rumors

• NY Mets Rumors: 1 big threat to steal 2 Flushing free agents
• NY Mets Rumors: Marcus Stroman contract expectations top $100 million
• NY Mets Rumors: 1 team already linked to free agent Marcus Stroman
• NY Mets Trade Rumors: The great “what if” J.D. Davis trade
• NY Mets Rumors: Free agent targets could be limited by qualifying offers

Though he only had 301 plate appearances, his lowest total in a season, Lind slashed .303/.362/.513. He hit 14 homers and drove in 59 runs. Lind now has 200 home runs in his professional career and has posted 20 or more homers in six seasons. His career year came in 2009 when Lind jacked 35 homers and drove in 114, which netted him his first and only silver slugger award.

Lind is the consummate platoon player. He’s graded as a slightly below average defender in his career. Last season, Lind had a defensive WAR of -0.9. Also, Lind has little success against left-handed pitchers. He has a career .217 batting average and .263 on-base percentage against southpaws. That’s in stark contrast to his .288 average and .348 on-base percentage against righties.

If the Mets settle on Lind then he almost certainly wouldn’t be an everyday starter. Wilmer Flores would be a likely candidate to start some games at first when an opponent throws a lefty on the mound. It’s already clear that Dominic Smith is going to start next year at most as a backup if not in Las Vegas.

For his career, Lind is a .272 hitter and he does have some power against right-handers. He adds some value at the plate, but he’ll most likely platoon with someone already on the roster. We know the Mets were one of many teams in on Carlos Santana, which would make more sense.

Next: Mets interested in bringing Neil Walker back

Ultimately, the only thing that’s clear about the first base situation is Smith will have to prove himself next spring. And the Mets are not keen on putting all their eggs in that basket.