Mets: Low end free agent signings that can add depth to the 2020 roster

The free agent pool still offers the New York Mets plenty of players who can help add to the roster’s depth. Those lower end free agents should be on the team’s radar.

As the New York Mets look to continue building their roster for 2020, it would be in their best interest to scour the remaining 2020 free agent list in search for low-end type players that not only fill a need but can also be signed to either minimal short term major league or minor league with an invitation to Spring Training contracts.

As we saw with the 2019 New York Yankees, multiple injuries do happen and at times seems to be contagious. So it helps to be prepared for injuries by not just developing players already part of your minor league system, but to also have major league ready veteran talent stashed away at AAA or extended spring training that would be ready to step in when injuries do occur.

In order of importance, here is a list of players and their possible role, I would either sign to a minimal one-year major league contract and/or bring them in for a Spring Training audition.

Position Players

Russell Martin – (BUC) Backup Catcher

With the Mets still looking to add some catching depth for 2020, we are progressing through the off-season and catchers continue to keep coming off the board. We need to make a move sooner than later to get someone who can provide the catching depth we need to complete our roster.

Looking at what is left available, I believe Russell Martin would be a backup catcher that makes sense, mainly because of his 14 years of MLB experience which could be used to mentor other young catchers who may join the roster later in the year.

Billy Hamilton – Pinch Runner/Fifth Outfielder

As the Mets look to find that perfect player to fill the newly created 26th roster spot, they need to look for players that provide some skills that are more specialized that can be used during the late innings of National League games. The skills I was thinking about are base running speed and outfield defensive which are two skills that are desperately needed on the current Mets roster.

It would be nice to have someone who is extremely adept at pinch-running and has the ability to steal a base for all the slow guys we currently have in our starting lineup. Billy Hamilton would be able to provide both of these vital and needed skills being the fifth outfielder/defensive replacement for the 2020 Mets.

I believe he could be had for a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.