NY Mets offseason grades for the major winter transactions
![Mar 1, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Mar 1, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15652923-850x560-8a0aa1fde7bb56ffd2c4b700cb4e421c.jpg)
Mets acquire Khalil Lee
When I saw the Mets were involved in the Andrew Benintendi trade, I was hoping they would just dump one of Jeurys Familia or Dellin Betances to Boston, but I will gladly take the outcome that occurred. The Mets sent Josh Winckowski, the player they acquired in the Steven Matz trade, to Boston along with a player to be named later and received outfielder Khalil Lee from the Royals.
The 22-year-old Lee is the seventh-ranked prospect in the Mets system and they got him for pretty much nothing. I am ecstatic. For a farm system that is not very good, Lee is a very good pickup.
Furthermore, the Mets had been starving for outfield depth. After seeing guys like Guillermo Heredia, Billy Hamilton, and Ryan Cordell last season, it is a welcome sight to have a guy like Khalil Lee waiting in the wings.
While he might not be ready immediately, he should be ready pretty soon. In 2019 Lee slashed .264/.363/.372 with eight home runs and 51 RBI. His best tool is his speed and that can be seen from his 53 stolen bases that season. Lee is a guy that gets on base and can be a leadoff hitter in this league.
The 154 strikeouts are a little high, but if he can work more on putting the ball in play I think he will be ready. He has struck out a lot from what I’ve seen during the spring as well.
Other than Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets fifth-ranked prospect, their outfield prospect depth is razor-thin. Lee is a big boost for that and he was acquired for virtually nothing. This move doesn’t get talked about enough and it should.