Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mets free agent centerfielder Brandon Nimmo is in San Diego this week to meet with teams at the winter meetings, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.
Nimmo, 29, is a UFA after spending the last seven seasons with the Mets. Nimmo headlines an incredibly weak free agent group of centerfielders and is drawing interest from around the league after putting together his best season.
Joining Nimmo as a free agent centerfielder is former MVP Cody Bellinger, the long-time Ray Kevin Keirmaier, and the defense-first Kevin Pillar and Jackie Bradley Jr.
In 151 games for the Mets last season, Nimmo hit .274/.367/.433. Maybe the best stat for him was how many game he played in. He’s alternated years of injury with years of every day ability and it happened to land at the right time for the free agent.
The Mets gave Nimmo the qualifying offer he was eligible for but it was now turned down. If a team not named the Mets signs the free agent, draft pick compensation will be heading back to New York.
Nimmo’s market has been reached by a “majority” of teams says agent Scott Boras. Some of his top suitors are the Blue Jays, Giants, and Mariners. The Rockies and Yankees are in the mix as well.
The Mets are doing their due diligence on the free agent market in order to prepare for a future without Nimmo.
The Mets are talking with free agent Andrew Benintendi, a left fielder, says Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Benintendi has his suitors as well, including the Yankees who traded for him last season.
Benintendi is not a natural fit with the Mets. His acquisition would require the Mets to shift around their current outfield of Mark Canha and Starling Marte who each thrived in corner spots last season. Marte would likely move to center where he played his entire career before joining the Mets.
Sherman speculates a move to bring in Benintendi could open up a trade of Canha or they bring in a defense-first outfielder like Kiermaier to man center and reduce wear and tear on Marte throughout the season.
