With the New York Mets looking to take a positive step forward next season, they could definitely benefit from adding a reliable center fielder to the mix, as the team has struggled mightily to address that need over the last several seasons.

Since Brandon Nimmo is expected to be moved over to left field in 2021, the Mets are slated to have a gaping hole in the middle of their outfield and the front office must locate a suitable replacement for him over the next couple of months. While accomplishing that feat could prove to be difficult, two of the best outfielders in the majors are currently available and each of them would fit perfectly with this club moving forward.

Starting in free agency, George Springer is easily the top outfielder available and is expected to have plenty of suitors bidding for his services this off-season. With that in mind, it’s certainly possible the former Astro’s price tag could become a little too expensive for the Mets, which could force them to turn their attention to the trade market.

Even though most teams are currently focused on the free-agent market, the Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly made outfielder Kevin Kiermaier available through trade, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. In his report, Feinsand notes that the COVID-19 pandemic along with the uncertainty regarding next season could force the team’s front office to shed some salary this winter, and dumping the 30-year old’s salary could be one of the easiest ways to achieve that goal.

Entering his age-31 season in 2021, Kiermaier still has two years and just over $23 million remaining on his current six-year, $53.5 million contract that was signed back in 2017. In addition, the former 31st-round selection also has a $13 million club option included in his deal for the 2023 campaign that also carries a $2.5 million buyout as well.

Considering the majority of organizations across the league are looking to reduce their payrolls, the Rays probably won’t have many potential suitors interested in the veteran’s services unless they offer to pay down some of his salary. That being said, the Mets currently have plenty of financial flexibility and would easily be able to absorb the 6-foot-1 outfielder’s entire contract, which would undoubtedly lower the cost they’d have to pay in exchange for him.

Along with taking on Kiermaier’s contract as part of the return, the team could send a package of prospects that’s headlined by catcher Ali Sanchez – who appears ready to compete for a role in the major leagues next season. Since the Rays are searching for a backstop this winter, the 23-year old could be a perfect fit for their club, as he’s under team control through 2026 and would provide a strong defensive presence behind the plate.

Adding to Sanchez, it seems Tampa Bay could also benefit from acquiring a top young outfielder, as they only have one of them ranked inside their top 10 prospects list, according to MLB.com. As a result, New York could allow them to choose between either Freddy Valdez (power-hitting outfielder) or Alexander Ramirez (five-tool outfielder) to complete this deal.

While the Mets have depleted their minor-league system over the last few seasons and are now looking to correct those mistakes, surrendering two more top young players in exchange for Kiermaier is a trade they shouldn’t hesitate to make, as it’d bring a premier defender to Citi Field for just a fraction of what it’d cost to land someone like Springer. Though he’s crossing over the 30-year old threshold and hasn’t played more than 129 games since 2015, the three-time Gold Glove award winner was still able to showcase his elite defense over the shortened 2020 campaign.

Through 350 2/3 innings in center field, the 2015 AL Platinum Glove award winner finished tied for the fewest errors committed (zero), and produced the second-most DRS (10), the highest UZR (7.7) and UZR/150 (30.7), along with the third-highest OAA (five) among all qualified outfielders, according to FanGraphs.com.

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Taking this even further, Kiermaier also finished tied with the ninth-highest jump (2.2 feet) against the league average, the sixth-highest burst (1.8 feet), and he ranked tied for the 11th-highest reaction (1.0 feet) among all qualified outfielders, according to BaseballSavant.com.

Based on these results, it’s clear the Parkland product still has plenty of quality seasons left and shouldn’t have any issues maintaining his elite defensive skills throughout the remainder of his contract. Paired with outfielders Michael Conforto and Nimmo, this would likely provide the Mets one of the top fielding trios in the majors and it’d help them significantly improve their run prevention moving forward, which is something they desperately need to address this off-season.

As for his offense, Kiermaier has served as a below-average hitter in each of the last three seasons and would likely be positioned near the bottom of the club’s batting order next season. That being said, the left-handed batter was able to generate a ton of hard-contact in 2020 and also became much more disciplined in the batter’s box as well.

Despite recording just three home runs, 22 RBIs, .145 ISO, .290 BABIP, 26.4% strikeout rate (career-high), and a 93 wRC+ score over his 159 plate appearances, the Indiana native was able to create a career-high walk rate (12.6%), LD rate (24.0%), barrel rate (6.3%), and the highest hard-hit rate (41.7%) of his career. Additionally, he also reduced his first-pitch swing rate by 10.9% (24.5%) and his chase rate by 11.0% (23.9%).

Though it’s clear the Mets would be acquiring Kiermaier for his defense, the veteran hitter could also make an impact offensively, as his recent results suggest he might be able to turn the lineup over consistently and his lightning-quick speed could position the offense into run-scoring situations late in games. Making the postseason in each of the last two seasons, his playoff experience would also be extremely valuable on a young team that’s looking to turn the corner and participate in October baseball for the first time since 2016.

While the organization has been linked to Springer repeatedly since the World Series concluded, there’s no question the front office has a solid backup option waiting for them if they fail to land the three-time All-Star through free agency. So it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the team makes a significant upgrade to their center field position.