Rich Dubroff of Comcast Sportsnet, reports that free agent Steve Pearce is hoping to land a two-year deal.
The Mets reportedly view Pearce as a candidate to fill their fifth outfield spot according to a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network last week.
Like fellow free agent Ryan Raburn, the appeal for the Mets is that Pearce bats right-handed and can also play some first base.
Pearce, who turns 33 in April, has a career .262/.343/.481 slash line against left-handed pitching with 38 doubles and 24 home runs in 594 plate appearances. However, he batted just .218 in 2015, albeit with 15 home runs in 325 PA.
The Tigers, Indians, and Rangers have all been linked to Pearce this winter.
Previous Report – 12/30
While any hope of the Mets bringing back free agent Yoenis Cespedes now dead in the water, the team remains in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
The front office is looking for a right-hander to complement Michael Conforto, Curtis Granderson, and Lucas Duda. And sources have told Heyman that Steve Pearce could be a candidate to fill that role.
Pearce, 32, has shown legitimate power for the Orioles the past two seasons. In 2015, he hit 15 home runs and slashed .218/.289/.422 in 325 plate appearances. However, in 2014 he produced an excellent .293/.373/.556 batting line with 21 home runs in 383 plate appearances, so the upside is certainly there.
Pearce has also hit lefties extremely well throughout his career, slashing .262/.343/.481 with 24 home runs in a season’s worth of plate appearances. He also would give the Mets some versatility, as he’s spent time in left field, right field, first base, second base, and third base.
There are other options out there, such as Ryan Raburn, who provide both the ability to hit left-handed pitching and the ability to play first base and the outfield. With the heavy hitters in the Mets lineup consisting mostly of lefties, they will need some right-handed, versatile power off the bench going into next season.
