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New York Mets: Top 10 outfielders to consider adding this winter

By Allen Settle

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 09: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball hit by Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 09: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball hit by Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 18: New York Mets target, Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after hitting a walk-off RBI single to deep right during the tenth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 18, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Tigers 2-1 in ten innings. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Whether by free agency or a trade, these are the ten outfielders the New York Mets should consider adding this winter. I’ve ranked them from ten down to one.

The New York Mets enter the 2019-2020 season with an interesting roster dilemma. Fans and analysts agree that the team needs to upgrade their offense in order to legitimately compete next season. However, they also have so many utility players that every lineup spot feels crowded.

If the team seriously intends to add another bat to their lineup, I believe the outfield is the place to do so. This is especially true if that bat comes in the form of a natural center fielder. This would allow Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo to resume their position as corner outfielders, with Jeff McNeil playing as an everyday infielder.

There are also legitimate concerns that Yoenis Cespedes’ season (and possibly Mets career) could be finished, leaving room for McNeil and J.D. Davis to sub into the outfield as needed. Adding a legitimate center fielder would tremendously benefit a poor defensive lineup.

However they go about it, these are the ten players the Mets should consider ranked from ten down to one.

The Cheap Free Agents

10. Yasiel Puig, Free Agent

Yasiel Puig seems to have fallen far from his prominence as a breakout player with the Dodgers. The former star feels like an afterthought despite positing a solid 24 homers and .267 average with the Reds and Indians last season.

While his bat certainly has the potential to be dangerous, Puig’s distinction as a right fielder would only further complicate the lineup card.

9. Brett Gardner, Free Agent

The good news is that Brett Gardner is capable of playing efficient centerfield at the MLB level (98 starts at the position in 2018). He is also coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 28 homers and a .251 batting average.

The bad news, however, is that he is 36 years old. While he is still a productive player, he would only be a temporary fix for a position that needs a long-term solution. Signing a player of his age would also carry injury concerns.

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