3 Mets free agent targets they must not lose out on next

3) Teoscar Hernandez

The Mets did pull off a deal to acquire Tyrone Taylor along with Adrian Houser from the Brewers, but Taylor profiles as more of a fourth outfielder. With that in mind, the Mets desperately need a third outfielder to play alongside Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte.

The 2023 version of Cody Bellinger on this Mets team would be a great fit, but there's no way of knowing if he'll be the MVP-caliber player or if he'll be one of the worst hitters in baseball like he was in 2021 and 2022. The Mets should take the risk of giving Bellinger a massive deal and should instead focus on the next tier. The perfect fit in my opinion was Lourdes Gurriel Jr., but he has re-signed with the Diamondbacks. Next on that list is Teoscar Hernandez who makes a lot of sense.

Hernandez is coming off a down year with the Mariners, but still hit 26 home runs and drove in 93 runs. 26 home runs in a down year playing half the time at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park is absolutely something the Mets would love to add.

As intriguing as Hernandez's power is, he's far from a perfect player. The outfielder fanned 211 times this past season, ranking among the league leaders in that category. He also posted just a .305 OBP thanks to a lack of walks which is subpar at best. Hernandez's defense also leaves a lot to be desired, although he had a better year in the field this past season.

With the outfield market so weak, the Mets will have to look past the deficiencies and focus on all the good he can provide. Hernandez fits the bill as a big bopper in the middle of the order that the Mets need, and shouldn't break the bank with his contract.