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 8, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) celebrates his solo home run with teammates against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports /

4) NY Mets free agent target Michael Conforto

As poor as 2021 was for Michael Conforto, he should be on the team’s list of priorities this offseason. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.

Nobody knows what to expect from Conforto more than the Mets. A career .255/.356/.468 hitter with an average of 28 home runs and 85 RBI per 162 games (nearly matching Castellanos).

What makes Conforto a better match for New York is his defense. Although not a Gold Glove right fielder, he is far better at defender the corner than Castellanos and many other potential candidates.

I have a gut feeling Conforto will not be back with the Mets in 2022. Nothing is set in stone just yet. For the right price, I do think the club would welcome him back. The outfield market is rather slim. Conforto is only 28 and should be able to point at his past performances to warrant a sweet enough multi-year deal.

If Conforto walks away this winter, the Mets are going to need some outfield upgrade. Left field was abysmal in 2021 and putting faith in Brandon Nimmo to stay healthy is a fool’s game.

For as down as the year was for Scooter, he did still draw his walks and even managed to cut his strikeout percentage down to 21.7% which is below the league average of 22%. It could hint at some incredibly bad luck this past year.