Mets: Priority free agents to sign with no more Robinson Cano dough

Trevor Bauer

The connection of Trevor Bauer to the Mets seems to grow bigger by the day, with the latest praise coming directly from Bauer’s agent on Twitter regarding Steve Cohen’s response to a fan on payroll flexibility. Cohen had responded to a fan on Twitter who asked Cohen if the Mets would spend the recent influx of cash on players or a bullpen cart, with the Cohen responding, “Spend it on players, bullpen cart can wait.” Bauer’s agent Rachel Luba retweeted the response from the Mets owner while also adding, “SPEND IT ON PLAYERS. Music to every agents’ ears. Music to every players’ ears. Music to every fans’ ears.”

One of the biggest weaknesses that destroyed the Mets playoff chances in 2020 was the ineffectiveness of the starting rotation behind Jacob deGrom aside from impressive rookie David Peterson. The Mets currently have both of them penciled into the starting rotation and with Marcus Stroman re-signing for the 2021 season, the Mets have two potential starting rotation spots available as there is no firm timetable on Noah Syndergaard’s return as of yet.

The Mets have the rare ability to construct a super-rotation with the addition of Bauer this offseason. While there is a bit of a question mark as far as what Bauer’s asking price and amount of years on a deal are going to be, the Mets undeniably can front-load a multi-year contract for the 29-year old pitcher in 2021 based on his Cy Young Award-winning season in 2020.

For the Mets to make a serious push in a crowded National League East they are going to have to improve upon their starting pitching from last season, and Bauer’s addition will instantly propel the team to a legitimate contender next season.

George Springer

As I had previously mentioned earlier in this article, there is now a very real possibility that the Mets will sign two of the top three free agents this offseason with an extra $24 million now available for the front office to spend. I believe Bauer should be the number one priority for the Mets, with outfielder George Springer not too far behind as the Mets’ second priority.

The organization has lacked a true dynamic center field option for awhile since Carlos Beltran’s departure, and Springer can fill that need. The 31-year old center fielder will not only provide a tremendous offensive boost to the Mets already deep starting lineup, but he also will provide the team an upgrade in center field defensively, which is an area the Mets have struggled over the past several seasons without Juan Lagares.

The addition of Springer not only fills a need during the regular season for the Mets, but his extraordinary performances in the postseason would be a welcome addition to a team that is trying to reach that next level. Adding notably one of the best postseason hitters of this generation certainly will go a long way in accomplishing that task. In 63 career postseason games with the Houston Astros, Springer has hit .269 with 19 home runs and 38 RBI’s with an exceptional .895 OPS.

The common thought around Major League Baseball seems to be that the Mets will control the free-agent market this offseason not only due to the amount of money they have to spend but due to the nature of the market as a whole with many teams facing financial constraints. With this rare supremacy, the organization has, the front office should take advantage in picking up both Bauer and Springer this winter with the addition of Cano’s $24 million to the payroll.

Marcell Ozuna

I never really considered outfielder Marcell Ozuna as a realistic fit for the Mets this offseason, but with Robinson Cano’s suspension, it makes a heck of a lot more sense to happen now than it did at any other point of the offseason. I debated internally whether Ozuna or infielder DJ Lemahieu should be a bigger priority for the Mets with the loss of Cano and ultimately settled on Ozuna. I believe sliding Jeff McNeil back to his natural position at second base would benefit the Mets more in the long run and Ozuna could provide the Mets with a bit more flexibility in the starting lineup.

The 30-year old Ozuna is a right-handed power bat that the Mets could certainly use in their left-handed dominant lineup. Ozuna also could provide the Mets the majority of his at-bats in the designated hitter position, as well as play left field part-time, where the Mets have been using a combination of Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil, and J.D. Davis over the past couple of seasons.

While Ozuna is not known for his defensive prowess, you would figure the Amazins would have a stronger defensive outfield with the addition of George Springer in center field that could allow the flexibility for a part-time below average outfielder in a corner spot.

Since entering the league in 2013, Ozuna has established himself as a lethal right-handed hitter with the Miami Marlins, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Atlanta Braves last season. In 2020 Ozuna played a vital role in the Braves regular-season success as he hit .338 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI’s to go along with an insane 1.067 OPS.

It’s also notable that the “Big Bear” has had plenty of success against the Mets and in New York throughout his career. In 100 games against the Mets, Ozuna carries a career .285 batting average with 11 home runs and 57 RBI’s. His success against the Mets certainly translates at Citi Field, as Ozuna holds a .295 career average with six home runs and 21 RBI’s in 51 games in the big apple.

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The Mets can certainly weaken a division rival with the signing of Ozuna this offseason, especially with the Braves’ interest in re-signing the 2020 Silver Slugger Award winner. MLB Trade Rumors.com has predicted Ozuna landing a four-year $72 million contract from the Washington Nationals this offseason which is a great reference point in terms of how Ozuna’s market may play out this winter. If the National League moves forward with the Designated Hitter in 2021 as expected, Ozuna could be the organization’s permanent fixture in the DH spot for the next four to five seasons.