Mets Monday Morning GM: Which free agent finds redemption in 2022?

The New York Mets had an exciting offseason last winter—a peasant in comparison to what they did in November, however.

The team added multiple players via free agency and trades. Their big blockbuster was the addition of Francisco Lindor along with veteran starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Neither lived up to the expectations.

Two other players failed to live up to the hype as well. Free agents James McCann and Taijuan Walker came to the Mets with some excitement. Walker looked like he was finally healthy and he was fresh off a successful 2020 season. McCann, who had always played strong defense, became a bit of a slugger during his Chicago White Sox days. What wasn’t to like about either addition?

The Mets added James McCann and Taijuan Walker last winter and neither played particularly well

McCann seemed to revert back to his Detroit Tigers days where he was a .240/.288/.366 hitter. His first season in Flushing was actually was with McCann batting only .232/.294/.349. After hitting 25 home runs and driving in 75 in his 587 plate appearances with the White Sox in 2019-2020, McCann smacked just 10 dingers and added 46 RBI for the Mets in his 412 opportunities.

It was a poor performance but Walker gave him a run.

After making 11 starts in the shortened 2020 season and pitching to a 2.70 ERA, Walker went into free agency with the Mets willing to buy. His first half was remarkable. He was the team’s lone All-Star representative. Unfortunately, the second half was atrocious. Walker would wrap up the year with a 7-11 record (no free Slurpee either) and a 4.47 ERA. After carrying the team for much of the first half, he looked broken.

Both remain with the Mets in 2022. Which one is more likely to rebound?