3 former Mets players the team should consider reuniting with this offseason

The New York Mets are constantly trying to build a better team. One of the facts of life in major league baseball is that whenever a new player is added to the roster, another player must be moved off, whether it's part of a trade, sent to the minors, released or maybe even retire.

When most players leave a MLB team, they usually handle the change like a professional. It’s in their best interest not to burn any bridges that they may need to cross again someday. For a few, their leaving presents an opportunity to bad mouth their former team from the owner down to the ticket takers (I’m looking at you, Marcus Stroman).

On occasion, the opportunity presents itself for a player to be reunited with their former team and if they have left on good terms, are gladly welcomed back. For the Mets, this would be true of players such as Rusty Staub, Lee Mazzilli and even The Franchise Tom Seaver.

Today, there is an opportunity for a trio of former Mets players to make such a return and be reunited with their former team.

1) NY Mets reunion candidate: Justin Turner

Justin Turner was on the Mets from 2010 to 2013. His role with the team was that of a utility player. He hit .265 with 8 home runs during his time with the team. In 2014, he signed with the Dodgers as a free agent and his career suddenly took off. He has averaged 23 homers and 87 RBIs while hitting .296 in the middle of the Los Angeles batting order.

Recently the Dodgers declined his club option of $16 million making Turner an unrestricted free agent. He has said that he would be open to a return to the Mets. Turner's position today is third base and could also be considered as a right-handed designated hitter. However, his offensive skills have diminished a bit at age 38.

While it’s possible that Justin Turner and the Mets could come to some kind of mutual agreement on a contract for next season, chances are that this Southern California boy will be looking to stay closer to home. Put him in the maybe column.

3) NY Mets reunion candidate: Michael Fulmer

This one is a bit of a technicality since Fulmer never played a game in New York. Michael Fulmer was a first round pick of the Mets in the 2011 amateur draft. He signed with the team and began moving up through their minor league system. In 2015, the Mets traded Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers as part of a package for slugger Yoenis Cespedes.

Michael Fulmer went on to win the American League rookie of the Year in 2016 and was a member of the 2017 American League All Star team. Soon afterward, Fulmer’s career began taking a downward turn. He experienced arm problems and was moved to the bullpen. These physical issues culminated in Tommy John surgery for him in 2020. By 2021, Fulmer had regained much of his arm strength resulting in 4-5 mph on his fastball and became a mainstay of the Tigers' and later the Minnesota Twins’ bullpens.

With the Mets’ relief corps in a state of flux, Michael Fulmer would be an excellent addition as a setup man to help get from the starter to Edwin Diaz, particularly if they were to lose veterans like Seth Lugo or Adam Ottavino in free agency. In any case, Michael Fulmer would make a great addition to the Mets pitching staff next season.

It just goes to show that there are still times when you can go home again. Hopefully, we'll see these players reunited with the New York Mets in 2023.