NY Mets Free Agent Predictions: The only 3 players returning next season

Although not fully a free agent, Kevin Pillar uses his player option to return

Kevin Pillar isn’t a “full” free agent because he has a player option, along with a team option, that can be exercised. If the Mets decide to bring him back, they pay him $6.4 million. I don’t think he’s worth that much to ride the bench nor do I believe the team is happy enough with his performance.

However, the player option, at a lesser $2.9 million, looks far more favorable. Pillar also has a buyout worth $1.4 million but I suspect Pillar chooses to stay in New York for another season. It’s hard to imagine him making more than $2.9 million on the open market following such an up-and-down year.

For a while, it seemed like Pillar was going to become a Mets legend. His tough play and return after getting hit in the face with a pitch made him a franchise folk hero. His involvement in the thumbs-downing of the fans may have changed the opinion of some. Add in a less than stellar batting average on the year and we have a guy who has done pretty much what was expected: fill in as a starter sometimes and occasionally produce good numbers but not earn a starting role by any stretch of the imagination.

Despite the rollercoaster year Pillar had with the Mets, I think he’ll take advantage of the money he has coming his way. He’s not getting any younger and the Mets should at least provide him with an opportunity to play some competitive baseball.