On Tuesday, Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters he wants to see the Mets add another hitter, preferably a right-handed hitter, to strengthen their lineup next season.
“It’d be nice,” Collins said during the team’s annual Kids Holiday Party at Citi Field. “We all know, you’d like to have as many great bats as you can possibly get.”
The Mets are specifically looking for an outfielder that hits well vs right-handed pitching and plays center field, to platoon with Juan Lagares.
Two free-agent outfielders the Mets have checked in on are Denard Span and Gerardo Parra, both of whom would be ideal additions for the team. But reportedly, the Mets balked when Span’s agent Scott Boras suggested a two-year deal, and Parra is holding out for a four-year deal.
Over the past several seasons, Span has been a dynamic spark plug at the top of the Nationals’ lineup. He’s batted .292 over the past three years with a .345 OBP, and has averaged 21 steals over that span. In 275 plate appearances this past season, he hit .301/.365/.431 with a 120 wRC+ . His season was derailed by a hip injury that required surgery, but he is now running at full strength according to Boras.
Meanwhile, Parra slashed .291/.328/.452 with a 108 wRC+ in 589 plate appearances this year for the Brewers and Orioles. He also hit well against right handed pitching, sporting a .345 wOBA, which makes him a great option to platoon with Lagares. Parra reportedly has multiple three-year offers in hand.
For now, it appears the Mets will continue to let this particular market evolve as they wait out the situation in hopes of landing someone to a one-year contract.
