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NY Mets: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season

ByZachary Rotman|
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets speaks to the media before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on September 17, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Giants defeated the Mets 8-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates his leadoff double against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

George Springer – CF

For years, the Mets have had a glaring hole in center field. Guys like Angel Pagan, Juan Lagares, and even Brandon Nimmo have tried to fill that hole since Carlos Beltran moved to right field but have been unsuccessful in doing that outside of the one Gold Glove year from Lagares. George Springer is a free agent and is someone the Mets should be heavily pursuing. In the 2020 season, he got off to a slow start but slashed .265/.359/.540 with 14 home runs and 32 RBI.

Springer is most known for his postseason heroics. The 2017 World Series MVP has slashed .269/.349/.546 with a whopping 19 home runs and 38 RBI in 63 postseason games. He is tied for fourth on the all-time home run list for the postseason. For a team that is expecting to contend as early as next season with a lot of players who have no experience playing postseason baseball, Springer would be a huge addition to the roster.

For the last number of years with Houston, Springer has been a leadoff hitter. While he certainly excelled in that role, I believe Nimmo is a better option. Springer profiles as a 30 home run a year guy who also gets on base. That can be very valuable in the middle of the order as well. I can very easily see him hitting third, and swapping places with Alonso as well. I think having Springer between the two powerful lefties in Conforto and Dom Smith would create an insanely talented 4-5-6.

The biggest question mark I have with Springer is the position he plays. Right now, he is a center fielder and is a very good one, at that. However, he is 31 years old. I expect Springer to get around a five-year contract. Do I think he can play center field at a high level at age 36? I find that very hard to believe. Having someone like Steve Cohen who is willing to spend money will really help, as he won’t just play someone in a position when he cannot play there anymore.

Even with that big question mark, I believe he is very worth the investment. I expect the contract to be something like five years, $150 million dollars. If the Mets are trying to win now, center field must be manned by someone else, and it doesn’t get any better in the free agency pool than Springer.

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