NY Mets: Top three positions of need to address this offseason

The Mets’ need for a center field boost

While the Mets have had one of the better offenses in the shortened season, one thing the team still lacks is a true center fielder.

For the 2020 season, Brandon Nimmo has started the bulk of the games for the Mets at Center, and while he has been a good hitter at the plate and a solid defender, the Mets could benefit from potentially shifting him to one of the corner positions and bringing in a natural center fielder.

While they did bring in Jake Marisnick for this season and could resign him, there are a few free agents that have more offensive potential than him. However, while this is a need, it is unlikely that the Mets break the bank on bringing one in.

As for free agents that the Mets could bring in to fill this role at an affordable, there seem to be two prime candidates on the market this coming off-season.

The first is a player that has been linked to New York in the past, Starling Marte. There were rumors circulating that the Mets had considered making a trade with the Pirates for Marte’s services last year before he was dealt to Arizona, who then traded him to Miami at this year’s trade deadline.

A former All-Star, Marte is a fine defensive outfielder, having won 2 Gold Gloves over his career, and is a formidable hitter as well, with a career batting average of .287, and in 2019, hit a career-high 23 home runs.

Marte would fill this need for the Mets nicely, however, he does have a team option remaining on his contract for $12.5 million, and if the Marlins choose to exercise it following the season, this choice will be off the table for New York.

If that’s the case, the other option for the Mets to pursue would be Kevin Pillar. Another great defender and solid hitter, Pillar has bounced around the league quite a bit after starting out his career with the Blue Jays back in 2013.

Over the past 2 seasons, Pillar has played for 4 different teams, Starting out 2019 with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Giants. He signed with the Red Sox on a 1-year deal prior to the 2020 season before being dealt again to the Rockies at this year’s deadline.

As stated, Pillar is a strong defender, frequently making highlight-reel catches in center, and a good hitter, with a lifetime .262 average, and he hit a career-high 21 home runs in 2019.

Either Marte or Pillar would give New York the extra defense they need to improve centerfield, and both men would be welcome additions to the Mets lineup.

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