It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
No, not Christmas.
MLB free agency officially kicked off on Sunday afternoon and Ken Davidoff of The New York Post offered his predictions for the Top 30 players on the market.
With the rest of the league suffering significant financial losses brought on by Covid-19, the Mets have a new owner with deep pockets in Steve Cohen, and Davidoff believes the team will ink the following three names to help bolster their ball club:
George Springer: Five-years, $110 million
Lacking a true center fielder, the Mets must prioritize defense this offseason and George Springer would be a major upgrade out there over Brandon Nimmo‘s -5 defensive runs saved and -4.1 UZR.
In a shortened season, the 31-year-old Springer had a solid 2020 campaign saving six runs in center while slashing .265/.359/.340 to go along with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs at the plate.
As a right-handed bat, Springer would also provide a much needed complement to an outfield full of lefties in Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, and Dominic Smith.
For his career, Springer is a three-time All Star, a two-time Silver Slugger, and earned the World Series MVP Award when he helped the Astros capture a title back in 2017.
The Post predicts Springer will be the Mets’ “big splash” move of the offseason and as Davidoff noted, the center fielder is a Connecticut native, who wants to be closer to his family.
He can make this happen by signing with the Amazins.’
James McCann: Three-years, $27 million
What about the catcher position?
The Mets made the obvious move to decline Wilson Ramos‘ $10 million option and are now in the market for a starting catcher.
Although J.T. Realmuto is the top free agent catcher in baseball, recent rumors indicate that his preference is to remain with the Philadelphia Phillies.
If this is truly the case, the Mets do have a plan B.
According to Davidoff, 30-year-old catcher James McCann is an underrated candidate, who could be had for a reasonable price at three-years $27 million.
Playing in the AL Central, McCann’s stock has risen the past two years being named an All-Star in 2019 (18 home runs, 60 RBIs, .273/.328/.460), and then following up this performance by slashing .289/.360/.536 in a shortened 2020 season.
McCann has also been solid behind the plate saving five runs and framing 2.3 in 2020, which would be an instant defensive upgrade for the Mets.
If Realmuto cannot be enticed, McCann is a solid piece at a position that must be addressed this offseason.
Marcus Stroman: One year, $18.9 million (qualifying offer)
As for the rotation, here’s a familiar name.
The Mets extended a one year, $18.9 million qualifying offer to Marcus Stroman over the weekend, which Davidoff believes he could accept due to the current state of the world.
Although Stroman is one the best candidates available on a thin starting pitching market, free agency is expected to look different this year with teams’ cutting costs left-and-right.
As a result, the substantial long term deal that Stroman is seeking might not be there.
This could lead to a reunion between the Long Island native and the Mets.
It’s no secret that the Mets are desperate for starting pitching this offseason and getting Stroman back on a one year deal would be huge for a rotation that struggled mightily past Jacob deGrom and rookie David Peterson last season.
With Noah Syndergaard on his way back from Tommy John surgery and Steven Matz coming off a horrid season, the team has a lot of uncertainty beyond their first two starters.
A significant move must be made and retaining Stroman would create a formidable trio if paired with deGrom and Peterson. It could also give them the flexibility to put Seth Lugo back in the bullpen.
Additional Targets
For those of you hoping that the Mets sign Trevor Bauer and J.T. Realmuto, Davidoff doesn’t see it happening.
Other Predictions
Bauer to the Padres: six years, $150 million
Realmuto to remain with Phillies: four years, $100 million
