Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, free-agent outfielder George Springer‘s market could be closed in short order and the New York Mets are still in the thick of things.
Per Morosi:
“[Springer’s] free-agent decision could come this week, multiple industry sources believe. The Blue Jays and Mets are the two frontrunners as of today.”
Springer, 31, has seen his market remain a bit stagnant this offseason. The player’s reported preference of playing near his Connecticut home — as well as the collective tightening of owner pocketbooks leaguewide — appear to have possibly limited his suitors.
As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted in his column on Sunday, both Toronto and New York have viable paths to securing Springer’s services long-term and Jon Heyman of MLB Network confirmed on Monday that both teams have offered him nine-figure contracts to do so.
Rosenthal points to industry sources who are “skeptical the Mets will want to pay Springer $25 million to $30 million a year” with potential contract extensions for Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto on the horizon as a roadblock for the Mets, but there are many variables that play into that decision.
Whether the competitive balance tax is amended or even remains in place past the current collective bargaining agreement is unknown, as is how the Mets plan to address their remaining roster gaps this offseason. Moving parts, galore.
Springer certainly entered free agency on the right note, riding a strong 2020 season (.265/.359/.540, 14 homers, 146 wRC+ in 222 plate appearances) into his first foray on the open market and shaking off concerns attached by his involvement in the Astros’ well-publicized sign-stealing scandal.
Mets team president Sandy Alderson confirmed to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Big Time Baseball Podcast) that the team was “still engaged, in a loose sense” with Springer as recently as last week.
The Mets have cheaper fallback options in Jackie Bradley Jr. and Albert Almora (who they’ve shown interest in, reportedly), though neither would bring the level of talent that Springer does.
We’ll keep you posted with any new information as it becomes available.
