Mets: 3 future free agents the Mets will have a real chance to sign

Steve Cohen and his bags of cash are walking through the door — Get ready New York Mets fans, we’re finally going to feel like the big market team we are!

It’s a strange new world for New York Mets fans; one where we can expect the good news, and not assume the worst. This change in ownership comes at a most opportune time when the team’s core group of players are either in (or entering) their prime playing years while a few of them will also soon be entering long-term contract negotiations.

These names include SP Noah Syndergaard and OF Michael Conforto in 2021-22, Brandon Nimmo and Seth Lugo in 2022-23, Amed Rosario in 2023-24, among other arbitration-eligible players like Dom Smith, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeil that will partake in arbitration hearings during this time unless they’re signed to extensions before then.

Although it’s not a sure thing all of these players will still be wearing the orange and blue once their contracts expire, it is important to note that Steve Cohen’s new front office is coming into power at a time where they will have the ability to assess these young stars and decide how best to mold their roster into a championship team next season and beyond.

Overall, Mets fans can now expect money to be invested in proven star talent when the opportunity to sign such players arises. This makes all the difference in retaining and acquiring impact players that can catapult this franchise into the ranks of annual postseason contenders like other big market teams.

Fortunately, most of the pieces are already in place – and money will surely help the Mets keep them. However, here are three players that can put them over the top in the years to come.

*5-year, $165 million deal for 3B Nolan Arenado in 2021-22

If the Mets trade prospects for one player with the intent of keeping him long term, it must be for Nolan Arenado. Third base is a much bigger priority than shortstop thanks to the stellar performance by Andrés Giménez last season.

In fact, if any of the players in this slideshow actually becomes a Met under Steve Cohen’s ownership, Arenado would be the most impactful. While his current 8-year, $260 million contract becomes an issue for the trade market (and not because of his hefty $32.5 million salary), I don’t need to sell Arenado to Mets fans – his stats speak for themselves.

Since making his debut in 2013, this superstar third baseman has cemented his role as one of the elite baseball players in the MLB. He has built a reputation as a power hitter who can maintain an above . 300 batting average and play a solid third base.

He’s a perennial NL All-Star, having made the team each year from 2015-2019 in addition to winning the NL Silver Slugger award for four consecutive years. He holds 4 NL Platinum Gloves (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020) and 8 NL Gold Gloves for every season he’s been in the majors. He’s also led the NL in HRs in 2016 (41), 2015 (42), and 2018 (38) while posting 40+ home run seasons in three out of his last five seasons except for 2017 (37) and 2018 (38).

With Steve Cohen in charge, Mets fans no longer have to settle for the tertiary players. Now we can compete for the top free agents, and realistically expect to get some of them! And Nolan Arenado would be a good start.

There are two scenarios in which they can acquire him for the long term. Since Arenado has an opt-out after the 2021 season in addition to a no-trade clause, the likelihood of him being traded by next July is slim, although not impossible given the right conditions.

If he doesn’t opt out, he’s locked into the contract and then other teams can trade for him. But if he does opt-out, then he will hit the open market and go to the highest bidder; which would mean the Mets could be in play!

Hypothetically, he would have 5-years, $164 million remaining on his contract while entering his age 31 season.  Also, the fact that Steve Cohen and other teams could be in the running might make Arenado feel like he can renegotiate his contract to make more than $32.5 million a year and go to a winner.

Coincidently, what will also need to happen in the 2021-22 offseason is making a decision on whether to extend SP Noah Syndergaard and/or OF Michael Conforto who will otherwise hit free agency.

As such, next offseason will be a busy winter for Cohen if these players are not extended or traded prior to their contracts expiring. Therefore, it will really be Cohen’s chance to change the landscape of Mets baseball and put his fingerprint on this roster with these key moves.

5-year, $90 million deal for SP Blake Snell in 2023-24

It’s never too early to plan for the future and targeting LHP Blake Snell for their rotation is something the Mets should start doing their due diligence on now.

Star left-handed pitching is a premium in the Major Leagues, and over the course of his early 5-year career, Snell has elevated his game to the top of the list for southpaws – and he’s just entering his prime.

His incredible 2018 season immediately catches the eye (31 games, 21-5 win/loss, 1.89 ERA, and 221 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .178 BA) while his other four seasons (where he averaged an ERA closer to 4.00 in an average of fewer than 20 games started per year) could understandably cause concern for those analyzing such a signing for the Mets.

Hypothetically, this is a target they can follow to see how he performs in the final three years of his current contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Depending on where the Mets are as a team by then, a 30-year-old Snell might put their rotation over the top.

Conversely, Minnesota Twins’ starter, José Berríos is another interesting option in the 2022-23 pool of free agent pitchers. While Berríos shares the same amount of playing years in the pros as Snell, he has yet to have his breakout season.

Currently, his middling career 4.19 ERA doesn’t immediately catch the eye, but his success against batters is reflected in his above-average career 1.27 WHIP and holding batters to a career .244 BA.

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The point is: Mets fans can now get aggressive during the hot stove season. And after almost 20 years of the Wilpon’s frugal tendencies, fans deserve it!