Like with the Yankees, the Mets will end up linked to many of the sexy names on the non-tender list, now that the chains are off the checkbook so to speak with Steve Cohen writing those checks.
And while yes, names like Carlos Rodon, Kyle Schwarber, Adam Duvall, and others would be upgrades for the Mets (especially if the universal DH stays and Robinson Cano’s bat needs to be replaced instead of worked around), there are other minor needs that could better fit the Mets.
Any of the players linked earlier to the Yankees would of course also be a fit in Queens, but these three also might be players to look at.
ALBERT ALMORA
Brandon Nimmo is not a center fielder by trade, and even if the Mets do go out and sign George Springer, they could use a fourth outfielder who is center field capable to fill the role Jake Marisnick was supposed to have in 2020.
There are a few center field-capable non-tenders out there, but Almora might be the best combination of defensive versatility (played less corner than Delino DeShields but is a better fielder) and offense (two years removed from a .286/.323/.378 slash line, which is better than anything DeShields has done).
Almora’s other advantages: he’s cheaper (his projection was a straight $1.575 million versus at least $2 million for DeShields) and he’s second-time eligible for arbitration, so he could stay under team control for 2022 as well.
DANNY SANTANA
Think about how versatile the Mets are, with several players capable of playing two or three positions all around the diamond. Then, think about what the Mets lose in Robinson Cano’s bat for this season.
Santana is a one-year flier as a final-time arbitration-eligible, and yes, he was awful in 2020 (.145 in 15 games around injury in Texas) and has a short track record – but at a projected $3.6 million, which is about 15 percent of what Cano was making, do you take a shot on a guy who is a switch-hitter, can capably play seven positions (not all well, but capably), and hit .283/.324/.534 with 28 homers and 21 steals as a full-time player in 2019?
If anyone has the pockets to take a shot to see if Santana can recapture that magic, it’s Cohen. And, looking at roster construction, even if the Mets do sign Springer, trade for Lindor, whatever, Santana can move around to cover DH days or hold down that position if the DH sticks around.
JONATHAN HOLDER
Yes, the Yankees just non-tendered Holder, and he was not great the last two years. However, here’s the hook: the Mets still want, and need, good arms in the bullpen, even with Trevor May on board. Brad Brach and Jeurys Familia are free agents after 2021, and if Seth Lugo moves into the rotation, the Mets have one hole now and three next winter.
Holder would be under team control for three years, and at a projected salary of $900K, he would be a cost-effective flier as someone who has pitched in New York, and wouldn’t have to be a high-leverage option right away. Would this be an upgrade over the Paul Sewalds and Chasen Shreves of the league?
Lots of Mets and Yankees non-tender talk Thursday on WFAN – listen to Moose & Maggie’s segment below!
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