Upcoming Mets free agents: 1 to re-sign, 1 to bring back at the right price, 1 to drive away

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.

The Mets should bring Pete Alonso back only at the right price

There are as many Mets fans ready to move on from Pete Alonso entirely as there are ones who demand he stays. Then there’s the other 99% of us who want him back but only at the right price. The ridiculous rise of Mark Vientos and incoming bat of Ryan Clifford to the majors has already given the Mets a future look at what first base could look like without Alonso. Add in his struggles with runners in scoring position and it’s easier to say goodbye to a beloved member of the team.

The moment Alonso switched to Scott Boras as his agent was when many of us first shuttered at the thought of what’s next. It seemed like a slight heel turn. That’s the ugly side of the sports business. Players want to get paid and it’s their right to get every last dollar.

This doesn’t mean the Mets should bend over backwards to ensure Alonso stays in Flushing. Difficult to replace, the Mets will do themselves no favors by overpaying him. It’s not about Steve Cohen being cheap. It’s about being smart with where he spend. First base has become a spot on the diamond where unless the player is among the best at his position, you can get by with a little less offense if you’re able to improve the team elsewhere.

A hard bargain driven by Boras is expected. Alonso has already reportedly turned down some favorable deals from the Mets dating back to last summer. David Stearns can be shrewd with free agent deals. Alonso will be no exception if the contract demands are unreasonable.