Free agency is moving at a substantially faster pace this year, at least when compared to 2018. Most of the big guns have new teams by now, including Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles Angels) and Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals.) The New York Mets re-signed Brad Brach and brought in starting pitchers Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello.
Even though most of the best players already committed their future, there are a few unsigned stars. Josh Donaldson is expected to sign in the next few days, and lefties Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel are still unemployed.
Here is a list of notable free agents (with 2020 age and 2019 WAR)
Catchers
- Robinson Chirinos (36, 2.3)
- Jason Castro (33, 1.6)
- Russell Martin (37, 1.2)
- MartÃn Maldonado (33, 0.8)
First Basemen
- Eric Thames (33, 1.9)
- Mitch Moreland (34, 0.7)
- Neil Walker (34, 0.4)
- C.J. Cron (30, 0.3)
- Ryan Zimmerman (35, 0.1)
- Matt Adams (31, -0.1)
- Greg Bird (27, -0.1)
Second Basemen
- Brian Dozier (33, 1.7)
- César Hernández (30, 1.7)
- Jonathan Schoop (28, 1.3)
- Starlin Castro (30, 1.3)
- Brock Holt (32, 1.3)
- Brad Miller (30, 1.2)
- Jason Kipnis (33, 1.1)
- Wilmer Flores (28, 1.1)
- Yolmer Sánchez (28, 1.0)
- Scooter Gennett (30, -0.5)
- Ryosuke Kikuchi (29, N/A) — posted by NPB team (12/3)
Third Basemen
- Josh Donaldson (34, 4.9)
- Asdrúbal Cabrera (34, 1.9)
- Todd Frazier (34, 1.9)
- Pablo Sandoval (33, 1.0)
- Matt Duffy (29, -0.3)
Shortstops
- José Iglesias (30 years old, 1.6 WAR)
- Adeiny HechavarrÃa (31, 0.7)
- Jordy Mercer (33, 0.6)
- Addison Russell (26, 0.5)
- Tim Beckham (30, 0.4)
Left fielders
- Marcell Ozuna (29 years old, 2.6 WAR)
- Alex Gordon (36, 1.3)
- Corey Dickerson (31, 1.0)
- Charlie Culberson (31, 0.3)
- Rajai Davis (39, 0.0)
- Domingo Santana (27, 0.0)
Center fielders
- Kevin Pillar (31, 1.5)
- Jarrod Dyson (35, 1.3)
- Billy Hamilton (29, 0.4)
- Guillermo Heredia (29, 0.3)
Right fielders
- Nicholas Castellanos (28 years old, 2.8 WAR)
- Kole Calhoun (32, 2.5)
- Cameron Maybin (33, 1.6)
- Yasiel Puig (29, 1.2)
- Matt Joyce (35, 1.2)
- Steven Souza Jr. (31, N/A)
Starting pitchers
- Hyun-Jin Ryu (33, 4.8)
- Homer Bailey (34, 2.9)
- Iván Nova (33, 2.0)
- Andrew Cashner (33, 1.8)
- Jason Vargas (37, 1.8)
- Rich Hill (40, 0.9)
- Aaron Sanchez (27, 0.8)
- Dallas Keuchel (32, 0.8)
- Alex Wood (29, -0.2)
Relief pitchers
- Will Harris (35, 1.1)
- Daniel Hudson (33, 0.9)
- Sam Dyson (32, 0.9)
- Brandon Kintzler (35, 0.9)
- Yoshihisa Hirano (36, 0.5)
- Robbie Erlin (29, 0.5)
- Collin McHugh (33, 0.5)
- Juan Nicasio (33, 0.5)
- Javy Guerra (34, 0.4)
- Craig Stammen (36, 0.4)
- Fernando Rodney (43, 0.4)
- Francisco Liriano (36, 0.3)
- Jeremy Jeffress (32, 0.3)
- Dellin Betances (32, 0.1)
- David Phelps (33, 0.1)
- Luke Gregerson (36, 0.1)
- Aaron Loup (32, 0.1)
- Tommy Milone (33, 0.1)
- Taijuan Walker (27, 0.0)
- Jerry Blevins (36, 0.0)
- Pedro Strop (35, 0.0)
- JC RamÃrez (31, 0.0)
- Jimmy Nelson (31, -0.1)
- Tyler Lyons (32, -0.1)
Could the Mets be interested in any one of them?
The New York Mets are actually pretty much set for the 2020 season. It is unlikely that they make major additions. If anything, they could bring a solid, glove-first middle infielder, a backup catcher, and relief pitching help.
Even the middle infielder isn’t a pressing need. Luis Guillorme can play good defense, and Jed Lowrie is still with the team. An upgrade over Tomas Nido and his -0.5 fWAR would be nice. Martin Maldonado would make a lot of sense.
The Mets have a good bullpen, but it could be much better if they brought Dellin Betances and his 2.22 ERA from 2014-2018. He would provide a true strikeout weapon for the late innings.
A tweener that can start and relieve can be a welcome addition, too. Collin McHugh fits the bill and shouldn’t cost a fortune, but he needs to show he is over the elbow discomfort that ended his season in December.
If the New York Mets don’t want to spend too many resources, banking on Tyler Lyons and his slider would be a good idea. They could explore Jimmy Nelson and Taijuan Walker as low-risk, high-reward options for rotation depth.