2 worthwhile NY Mets free agent alternatives to Teoscar Hernandez, 1 option to avoid

The Mets should make Jurickson Profar an offer

I’d hesitate to make any long commitment with Jurickson Profar. However, a short term deal to try and capitalize on whatever it was that made him pop a career-best 24 home runs and 85 RBI last season wouldn’t be the least satisfying direction for the Mets to go. Once a rising utility man whose career never seemed to fully take off early on, his 2024 All-Star campaign was noteworthy enough to land him on this list as a lesser alternative option to Hernandez.

Profar doesn’t strike out a whole lot, fanning 101 times in 668 plate appearances last season. A career .331 OBP even with several years when he hit below .250 at least tells us he’s capable of getting on base. Last year’s outrageously productive .280/.380/.459 slash line is not something we’d have to seriously expect. Even a lesser version of Profar might be worth the addition when a guy clearly nearing the end such as Starling Marte is one of your other outfield options.

Profar has extensive experience at positions other than left field, but seems to have gotten cozy at that position in recent years. Something modest is all the Mets should be willing to offer. He settled on a one-year deal worth only $1 million last year. This offseason, he’s reportedly seeking a three-year deal.  Just because he's seeking it won't mean he gets it. When is my date with Kate Beckinsale scheduled?

Viewing Profar as a final addition to the Mets roster and walking away thinking they’re a much improved team would be naïve. However the Mets planned to use Hernandez, Profar seems capable of doing the same just with less proven power.