After adding Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Eduardo Escobar, plus the pending return of Robinson Cano, one would think the New York Mets’ lineup could be set: after all, they also have Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith, JD Davis, James McCann, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and star shortstop Francisco Lindor, among others.
The Mets’ biggest need is on the pitching staff. Yes, they added Max Scherzer on a three-year, $130 million deal, but they also lost Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Joey Lucchesi, the latter due to a long-term injury and the first two via free agency.
Yet, SI.com’s Pat Ragazzo reported that the Mets have their eye on two sluggers and that they remain potential fits to their 2022 plans. One of them is Kris Bryant, a player they have coveted for a long time, capable of playing both infield and outfield corners while boasting an above-average bat.
The Mets have their eyes on two competent bats
Bryant hit .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs between the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants last season, and is a former Rookie of the Year, MVP, and World Series champion.
On the other hand, the Mets have also been linked to Michael Conforto, who started his career with the Mets in 2015 and reached free agency after last season. The right fielder wasn’t good in 2021 (.729 OPS) but has a career .824 OPS and has surpassed .900 two times, in 2017 and 2020.
Conforto is the kind of left-handed bat that most contenders should be coveting in free agency, but he didn’t sign before the lockout. Per Ragazzo, the Mets remain in play for his services.
“At least one industry source believes that the Mets realistically have 1-of-2 choices if they decide to add a significant hitter: bring in third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant or re-sign right fielder Michael Conforto since both players are solid defenders and neither is tied to a QO,” Ragazzo wrote.
Will the Mets break the bank for another slugger?