5 right-handed hitters other than Austin Hays who seem to match recent NY Mets rumors

3) Paul Goldschmidt

Other than having experience at first base and hitting lefties well, there isn’t great appeal to the Mets signing Paul Goldschmidt. He can’t be left off, though. Actual rumors which once had the Mets contemplating a platoon at first base with Goldschmidt and Jeff McNeil hit hard in mid-December. No longer fully possible with McNeil gone, bringing in Goldschmidt hasn’t been fully eliminated.

Goldschmidt’s connection to Mets hitting coach Jeff Albert from their days with the St. Louis Cardinals is yet another reason why we shouldn’t dismiss the idea of the Mets signing him. Albert was present and credited with Goldschmidt winning the 2022 NL MVP. Surely, this can’t be completely overlooked even if doing so is wrong.

The real downer with Goldschmidt is he’s trending downward and is only truly useful in one spot, first base. The Mets would likely start him there against left-handed pitchers and move Polanco to the DH spot. On days when the Mets face a right-handed pitcher, Goldschmidt watches from the bench.

The good thing about Goldschmidt is the needed locker room stability the Mets could benefit from adding. Marcus Semien seems like a good leader and bringing in Polanco should help end the behind-the-scenes turmoil. Of course, a situation with too many players who view themselves as leaders could always emerge.

You don’t sign Goldschmidt because you think your locker room needs more professionalism. You do it because you believe he’s the best choice. That’ll take a lot of convincing.