3 Mets rival free agent signings they should've made instead
By Tim Boyle
![Feb 24, 2024; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield (9) looks Feb 24, 2024; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield (9) looks](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2667,h_1500,x_0,y_162/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/3/01hs6c401nr6kyrfmzp2.jpg)
2) The Mets should’ve signed Adam Duvall
Adam Duvall ended up back with the Atlanta Braves for only $3 million. A candidate to join the Mets this offseason as an outfielder/DH candidate, he’ll instead go back to Atlanta where he seems to always end up.
Duvall signing for such an affordable deal seems to be the result of some regular injuries over the last two seasons. Unable to stay on the field, it’s explainable why so many teams passed on him. The Braves view him as a backup or pairing to have alongside Jarred Kelenic whose own history with the Mets organization is the subject of plenty debate.
Even after the Mets ended up signing Harrison Bader to a ridiculously high $10.5 million price tag, Duvall made sense. The issue may have been the front office didn’t view him as enough of an upgrade over DJ Stewart. Duvall had a decision in the matter as well. Going back to Atlanta, a place of comfort, and having an undoubtedly better chance of winning surely played a factor.