3 outfielders the Mets should have signed instead of Harrison Bader

2) Adam Duvall

The Mets passing on Hernandez who is likely seeking a longer-term deal makes some sense, but that still doesn't mean they had to settle on Bader. They could've easily gone with a different outfielder who can give them more of an offensive boost for a year or two like Adam Duvall.

The 35-year-old Duvall is known mostly by Mets fans for the damage he caused as a member of the Braves and Marlins, and is a player the Mets should've pursued to be their starting left fielder because of how well-rounded of a player he is.

Duvall is known mostly for his bat, which is miles ahead of Bader. This past season he slashed .247/.303/.541 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI. He hit those 21 home runs in just 92 games. For reference, he'd be on a 36-home-run pace had he played a full 162-game season. He's hit 30+ home runs three times in his ten-year career, including hitting as many as 38 back in 2021 with the Marlins and Braves. Bader has never hit 20 in a season, let alone 30.

While his defense is not as good as Bader's Duvall did win a Gold Glove award in the 2021 season primarily serving as a corner outfielder. He only ranked in the 20th percentile in OAA this past season, but ranked in the 88th percentile in 2022 while playing all three outfield spots. He's not Bader-level defensively, but is no slouch while still providing so much more offensively.

Hernandez makes sense to pass on because he probably wanted more term and money. Duvall on the other hand, was likely looking for one or two years max. The Mets had no reason to not bring him aboard.