The New York Mets have a huge free agent class. Unlike last year when most of the players on expiring contracts had already been traded, this year’s club added rentals at the trade deadline. Players such as Ryne Stanek and Jesse Winker are still trying to work their way into our hearts. Others we’ve seen for a full season are easier to make a decision on.
Of the upcoming Mets free agents, who is worth re-signing, who should only come back at the right price, and which poor soul should get driven far away?
The Mets should re-sign Jose Iglesias
The most rational Mets free agent to bring back is the one who brought the party this year, Jose Iglesias. He seems to be having as much fun as anyone this year. His performance, as electric as it has been, doesn’t quite warrant a starting gig anywhere else. On a modest one-year deal for about $4 million, Iglesias is an ideal fit for the roster yet again next season.
Having Iglesias as the bat off the bench and in the lineup regularly to help spark some offense. Plus, how weird will it be to see other teams celebrating to OMG?
Iglesias is hardly the only Mets free agent the team should consider bringing back. Harrison Bader has been terrific in his role as the starting center fielder who doesn’t quite start as much as he would probably like to. The problem here is Bader will probably get a multi-year deal. Someone is going to give him a three-year contract over $30 million.
The Mets will undoubtedly re-sign some bodies from this year’s roster. Iglesias, at the price he’ll demand, the role he’d accept, and the culture he will create is the one who they can’t pass on.
But hey, if he gets a better deal elsewhere, we won't hold it against him. This has been fun.