Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports was doing his weekly spot on WFAN today and speculates that veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez could make sense for the New York Mets.
Heyman says that Gonzalez would fit as a first base/right field type the Mets have been looking for despite Gonzalez never playing first in the majors. The Mets have shown interest in right fielders that can also play first including Jay Bruce though Gonzalez is likely to incur significantly less risk in terms of cost.
Gonzalez did say this in March about moving to first base, “Absolutely. I’m open for it. I know that playing first base is a lot easier than being in the outfield.”
This past season, the 32-year-old appeared in 136 games (534 plate appearances) with the Rockies, clubbing 14 homers and driving in 57 RBI while hitting to a .262/.339/.423 clip. He also had a.162 ISO, .318 BABIP, .327 wOBA and 84 wRC+.
Gonzalez has captured three Gold Gloves total in his career, all as a left fielder, but has since been moved to right field in recent years.
In 1,064.0 innings in right in 2017, Gonzalez had -3 defensive runs saved with a -1.7 UZR while committing three errors.
The left-handed Gonzalez has had recent success with a 116 OPS+ in 2015 and 111 OPS+ in 2016, but for his career is a much stronger hitter in Coors Field (.977 OPS) than on the road (.735 OPS).
Heyman went on to say that the Mets also feel comfortable with playing Michael Conforto in center field when he comes back healthy from surgery.
