NY Mets: Top 12 free agents the team should look to sign this winter

3) NY Mets free agent target Javier Baez

I’m not a huge fan of Javier Baez. Despite what he showed he could accomplish in his two months with the Mets, I would prefer we thank him for his services and the team goes in another direction. That’s what my heart tells me. My head says something else.

To have a second baseman who can play the position like Baez and hit the ball the way he does gives the Mets an advantage many teams don’t get. Baez has the chance to do things no other Mets player at the position has done before. Even with their long history of successful men at the position, Baez can top them all if he re-signs with the Amazins.

Add in how much insurance Baez can provide as a shortstop and it’s so obvious how badly the Mets need to make this a long-term relationship.

As a non-qualifying offer candidate, the Mets have a worse chance at retaining him. However, with such a deep class of shortstops available on the free agent market, they could get lucky.

Those hoping to see more of Baez at Citi Field will need to hope Francisco Lindor can do even coercing to keep his good friend alongside him up the middle.