Mets: Five best international free agents the front office should consider

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - MARCH 08: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - MARCH 08: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – MARCH 08: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – MARCH 08: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets have the opportunity this offseason to be involved in the rare acquisition of an international star on the free agent market.

This offseason’s hot stove offers many intriguing options internationally for the New York Mets to explore for both their Major League roster as well as their farm system, and I personally can’t remember the last offseason where there have been this many potential star options coming stateside at once.

The most coveted players making the move to Major League Baseball are two highly-regarded pitchers who have been posted from Japan, a talented shortstop who has been posted from Korea, and two highly regarded athletes from Cuba. Each one of these players can fill a need for the Mets in some form in 2021 and beyond.

While it has been a while since we’ve seen the Mets sign a highly regarded international player, we have to remember that this is no longer the same old organization we are used to. If the Mets believe any one of these five players fit the mold of what the current front office is looking for, regardless of cost, they will throw their hat in the ring. It’s certainly a refreshing take, especially this season in a market where many teams’ offseason plans have been debilitated by financial issues.

While it has not been publicly made known by the front office whether the organization has any type of interest in any of the following five international players, there’s no better time than now to view how each individual player could be viewed as a potential fit for the Mets. It’s also important to note that three of these players would count towards the Major League payroll, while the two others would count towards the organization’s international pool.

In lieu of all of the excitement surrounding these five international stars, I wanted to rank each player in terms of the best fit and as well as priority for the organization to sign this winter.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – AUGUST 23: Outfielder Kim Ha-Seong #7 of Kiwoom Heroes reacts in the bottom of the ninth inning during the KBO League game between KIA Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Skydome on August 23, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – AUGUST 23: Outfielder Kim Ha-Seong #7 of Kiwoom Heroes reacts in the bottom of the ninth inning during the KBO League game between KIA Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Skydome on August 23, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) /

5) Kim Ha-Seong, Shortstop, South Korea

My Rising Apple contributing partner William Wetzel had done a great job profiling Korean star shortstop Kim Ha-Seong earlier this offseason, and how Ha-Seong could be a potential fit for the Mets in 2021. Ha-Seong was posted on December 7th by his current team the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization for Major League Baseball teams to begin the free-agent negotiating process. Teams have until January 1st to sign Ha-Seong who is part of the posting process and would count towards the organization’s Major League payroll.

I’m fairly intrigued by the 25-year old shortstop who has already established a name for himself internationally and seems to have his best baseball still ahead of him. When looking at his statistics from 2020, Ha-Seong had the best season of his young career with a .306 batting average to go along with 30 home runs, 109 RBIs, while also swiping 23 bases.

While I do believe Ha-Seong is a player that deserves a role on any team’s Major League roster based on his offensive and defensive prowess, at this point he doesn’t seem like the best fit for the team’s current roster in comparison to the other four players on this list. The Mets already have two really good young shortstops in Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, and I believe if the Mets have plans to upgrade at the shortstop position, they should go all-in on a proven Major League shortstop such as Francisco Lindor.

While Ha-Seong also has experience at other infield positions such as second base and third base, I believe Jeff McNeil is best served to go back to his natural position and be the Mets’ everyday second baseman in 2021 with Robinson Cano currently suspended. Unless J.D. Davis is moved in a trade prior to the new year I also find it hard for the Mets to invest in Ha-Seong to be their everyday third baseman when they have many other needs to fill this winter.

MLB Trade Rumors.com currently predicts that Kim Ha-Seong will sign a five-year contract worth $40 million this offseason and they have the Texas Rangers currently pegged as their favorites to sign the talented shortstop this offseason.

Mar 17, 2019; Tokyo, Japan; Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Kohei Arihara (16) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2019; Tokyo, Japan; Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Kohei Arihara (16) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Kohei Arihara – Right-Handed Pitcher, Japan

Fellow Rising Apple contributor William Wetzel also did a phenomenal job profiling Japanese right-hander Kohei Arihara as a potential option for the Mets starting rotation next season. The 28-year old pitcher was posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on November 26th for Major League Baseball teams. Teams around the league currently have until December 26th to negotiate a contract with Arihara, who is also part of the posting process, which makes him the potential favorite to find a home first out of all the players currently on this list.

Arihara would certainly fill a hole in the Mets rotation this offseason as the organization is potentially looking to sign two starting pitchers this winter. Arihara doesn’t fit the flamethrowing mold that exists around Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard, but he has a decent four-seam fastball and relies on a solid offspeed repertoire that keeps hitters off-balance.

In 2020, Ariahara had posted a 3.46 ERA to go along with a 1.168 WHIP, and 106/30 K/BB ratio in 132.2 innings for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. He also was a finalist for the Japanese version of the Cy Young Award called the Eiji Sawamura Award back in 2019 when he had posted a 2.46 ERA and ridiculous WHIP of 0.919 over 164.1 innings pitched.

I believe Ariahara would be a great fit for the Mets rotation in 2021, however, with another star Japanese starting pitcher recently being posted, I knocked Ariahara down few spots on my list. However, I don’t believe there will be a shortage of suitors for Ariahara this offseason as there aren’t very many high-end starting pitching options available. When all is said and done I could see Ariahara commanding a two or three-year deal around $8-$10 million a season.

CHITRE, PANAMA – AUGUST 10: Player of Cuba throws the ball to the air during the WBSC U-15 World Cup Group B match between Netherlands and Cuba at Estadio Rico Cedeno on August 10, 2018 in Chitre, Panama. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
CHITRE, PANAMA – AUGUST 10: Player of Cuba throws the ball to the air during the WBSC U-15 World Cup Group B match between Netherlands and Cuba at Estadio Rico Cedeno on August 10, 2018 in Chitre, Panama. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

3) Oscar Colas – Outfielder & Left-Handed Pitcher, Cuba

The international market was sent in shockwaves last week when Cuban phenom Oscar Colas was declared a free agent by his Japan Pacific League team the Softbanks Hawks after a lengthy battle regarding his contract status. My good friend here at Rising Apple Ryan Schlachter had written up a great piece on why Colas would be an extraordinary fit for the Mets organization once he is officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball.

It is expected that once Colas is officially declared a free agent by MLB, he will sign during the upcoming international signing period that opens on January 15th. He can easily be considered one of the top three, if not the top international free agent available in this upcoming signing period. Colas’ salary would count towards the Mets $5,348,100 international bonus pool.

The 22-year old has been dubbed as the “Cuban Ohtani” for his ability to hold his own with the bat as well as pitch, as Colas has a fastball that has been recorded topping out around 95 mph. In regards to his hitting capabilities, in 2019 between both the Japan Pacific League and the Cuban National Series, Colas hit .290/.351/.497 with 16 home runs with 66 RBI’s in 385 plate appearances. Pretty impressive numbers for a 20-year old in two professional settings.

The main reason I have Colas ranked as number three is due to questions surrounding his potential position moving forward. We’ve seen two players currently try to be two-way stars at the Major League level in Shohei Ohtani and Brendan McKay, however, both have struggled with injuries up to this point in their Major League careers. I believe whichever team signs Colas will allow him to do both, but with a sketchy track record to this point on two-way players, I’d place Colas third on this list.

Don’t get me wrong, however, as I believe Colas has the potential to be an absolute star at the Major League level and I would love the Mets to add him to their currently depleted farm system that they are looking to rebuild. I’m just not a huge fan of the track record of two-way players to this point and I think the Mets should prioritize adding a different Cuban free agent instead.

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 21: Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of team Japan in action in the fourth inning against team United States during Game 2 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 21: Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of team Japan in action in the fourth inning against team United States during Game 2 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2) Tomoyuki Sugano – Right-Handed Pitcher, Japan

On December 7th, Tomoyuki Sugano was posted by his club the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League and his addition to the free-agent pool has made this offseason that much more intriguing. There has not been a more credentialed pitcher from Japan that has come stateside since Masahiro Tanaka, and Sugano is expected to field plenty of offers over the next month, as he has until January 7th to come to terms on a deal with a Major League club.

Sugano easily slides in as the second or third best available starting pitcher behind Trevor Bauer, and if the Mets come under the belief that Bauer is not going to sign with the organization, the 31-year old Sugano could be the next best option for the Mets on the free-agent market. Included in Sugano’s credentials are winning the Japanese version of the Cy Young Award, the Eiji Sawamura Award twice, he’s a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, a six-time All-Star, an MVP Award winner, and he won the Japanese Triple Crown back in 2018.

In 2020, Sugano had posted a 14-2 record with a sparkling 1.97 ERA and three shutouts, while also fanning 131 batters in 137.1 innings. This was all the more impressive after Sugano struggled with injuries back in 2019 and posted the worst ERA of his career at 3.89. For the record, his career ERA in eight seasons with the Yomiuri Giants is 2.32.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel believes due to the financial nature of the MLB landscape, Sugano could fetch a two-year deal around $24 million, which is certainly a feasible number for the Mets to be able to meet considering their deep pockets.

TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 08: Outfielder Yoelkis Cespedes #16 of Cuba hits a RBI single to make it 0-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B Game Two between China and Cuba at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 08: Outfielder Yoelkis Cespedes #16 of Cuba hits a RBI single to make it 0-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B Game Two between China and Cuba at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) /

1) Yoelqui Cespedes – Outfielder, Cuba

I recently wrote a piece on how the Mets farm system could benefit from the addition of Yoelqui Cespedes this offseason. The younger half-brother of Yoenis Cespedes is eligible to sign on January 15th when the 2020-2021 international signing period opens up. In order to sign Cespedes, the Mets would need to pull from their allotted international bonus pool of $5,348,100.

While no teams have currently been openly connected to the 23-year old outfielder yet, the Mets will certainly have the funds to make a serious offer for Cespedes. As of right now, the organization isn’t considered favorites to sign many of the other big international free agents that already have some sort of verbal deal in place with other clubs, which provides them with some flexibility to be a suitor for Cespedes and even possibly Oscar Colas.

The Mets could surely use a toolsy corner outfielder in the upper echelon of their minor league system after losing Jarred Kelenic via trade a couple of offseasons ago. The Mets don’t have a position player in their pipeline that could make a significant Major League impact within the next year or two and Cespedes could fill that role, while also deepening the Mets system as a whole.

For reference in terms of what the potential cost would be to acquire Cespedes talents this winter, you could comparably look at another similar Cuban international signee in Pedro Leon, who is slotted to sign with the Houston Astros on January 15th at around $4 million. The 21-year old Leon is also a highly regarded Cuban outfielder that has an equally high ceiling.

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