Here’s the latest on some of the Mets’ top free agent targets this offseason.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that the Mets are looking hard at Ben Zobrist.The Mets have been connected to him since the offseason began, but they will have to compete with a lot of teams in order to sign him. Heyman says that there could be as many as 20 teams interested and that the St.Louis Cardinals are the latest team to join the mix.
Zobirst batted .276 with 13 homeruns and had a 123 wRC+ in 535 plate appearances for the Athletics and Royals this season. His ability to play either the middle infield or outfield is what makes him such an appealing option to so many teams around the league including the Mets.
Heyman also mentions Denard Span and Gerardo Parra as players who also might be on the Mets radar. Span posted a .301/.365/.431 slash line over 275 plate appearances with 11 steals this season and could fill a need in the outfield. However, his season was cut short due to a hip injury he suffered in August.
Meanwhile, Parra had one of his best hitting seasons of his career in 2015, and could be the perfect platoon partner with Juan Lagares. Parra has a career .767 OPS against right handed pitching, and posted a .303 average against them this season.
Additionally, more teams are starting to show interest in reliever Joakim Soria. The Giants Royals, Rangers and Twins have all inquired about him, according to James Schmehl of Michigan Live.
Soria had a 2.53 ERA in 67.2 innings pitched this season with a 8.5 K/9. Heyman reported on twitter two weeks ago that the Mets had interest, and Jayson Stark of ESPN NY said that he is looking to sign a three year contract worth $27 million.
However Adam Rubin of ESPN NY says the Mets are unlikely to sign him since he might land a closing role somewhere else and will command closer-type dollars.
