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

Sep 29, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) walk to the dugout before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) walk to the dugout before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte (2) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

8) NY Mets free agent target Starling Marte

I wouldn’t have even thought about Starling Marte as a candidate for the Mets until he want all gangbusters late in the season with the Oakland Athletics. He did some incredible things in 2021 with two different clubs. Most notable of all, he stole 25 bases with the Athletics after already swiping 22 with the Miami Marlins.

All of this was accomplished by Marte while hitting .308/.381/.456 combined with the two clubs. He was consistent with both organizations, showing off his speed and ability to hit.

Marte would make sense for the Mets in two spots. He could either take over in one of the corner outfield positions or slot in as the center fielder and allow them to move Brandon Nimmo. This isn’t exactly ideal. Marte will play next year as a 33-year-old which means he’s even better suited in a corner spot than the younger Nimmo; a guy who, by the way, showed a lot of defensive improvement as a center fielder in 2021.

Marte would be a nice addition to the lineup to bat near the top. Far from a must, he’s a more than decent fallback if the Mets find themselves scrambling for major league talent on the open market.