Top Free Agent Outfielder Options The Mets Should Target

It’s no secret that the New York Mets desperately need to make a move for an outfielder. Contrary to some pundits and many fans, president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has filled some of the team’s many holes. One area still gaping; an additional outfielder to complement a current shallow and risky grouping of Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, and DJ Stewart.

There is no telling how Marte will be after a career-worst season where he posted a .625 OPS and struggled mightily with nagging injuries. Further, despite a strong partial season, relying on DJ Stewart as an everyday outfielder is an extremely risky endeavor. Not only his he limited defensively, but he has only surpassed the 160 at-bat total once in his career. That being in 2021 when he posted a .698 OPS.

It is vital the Mets bring in another outfielder. If the team wishes to be competitive in 2024, an everyday option, rather than a platoon or fourth outfielder, would be ideal.

Teoscar Hernández 

One of the top options remaining on the open market, Teoscar Hernández belted 26 home runs and drove in 93 runs last season for Seattle en route to a 106 OPS+. Fitting the Stearns’ mold, Hernández played great defensively as well, posting a fielding run value in the league’s 67th percentile. The right-handed hitter and thrower has a terrific arm, ranking in the league’s 88th percentile last season.

Hernández, 31 years old, has hit 20 or more home runs in five of his last six seasons. This includes a 32 home run and 116 RBI season back in 2021. He has always been a very strong fielder in the outfield and boasts underlying metrics that are well-above league average year in and year out.

MLB Trade Rumors projects a four-year deal worth $20 million annually. Meanwhile, Fangraph‘s crowd-sourced projections projects a $15-million per year deal, over three years. Given the Mets’ splurge on retaining their own talent in Nimmo last season, and the hefty deal the oft-injured and aging Marte currently possesses, another large outfield contract may seem unlikely.

However, if they are able to snag the strong defensive and 20-plus home run hitter at a figure closer to the $15-million mark annually, that would be a steal and instantly boost an outfield group that desperately needs one.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Update – According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Gurriel Jr. is in agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is another one of the higher-tier options left on the free agent market. The right-handed hitter has posted three seasons with at least 20 home runs since becoming a professional in 2018. This past season, he hit 24 long balls to go with 82 runs driven in. Like Hernández, he was also very strong in the field, posting a fielding run value in the league’s 69th percentile.

The 30-year-old has always put up more than formidable numbers, and coming off a career season a payday is likely. MLB Trade Rumors projects a four-year, $13.5-million per season deal. Meanwhile, Fangraph‘s crowd-sourced projections projects a $12-million per season deal, over three years.

Gurriel Jr. would provide strong value at a deal just over $10-million per season. He would round out an outfield of Nimmo, Marte, and himself very nicely. He does enough at the plate and more than holds his own in the field.

Tommy Pham

A name very familiar to Mets’ fans, as Tommy Pham was traded by the team before the deadline last year. Pham went on to put together an extremely efficient year overall, but posted an extremely solid .820 OPS with New York before being moved. On the year, the 35-year-old posted 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. He did all this while playing a respectable outfield, posting a fielding run value right around league average.

Pham has long put up strong underlying metrics. He does not chase, does not strike out, walks often, and makes extremely hard contact. He also does more than enough in the outfield to be regarded as a respectable third outfield option.

Pham would also likely come at a relatively cheap price tag, given his age. Fangraph‘s crowd-sourced projections project only $8 million over one season. Now, if Pham is open to a reunion is another story, but he would round out the outfield group at likely a very friendly price tag.

Michael A. Taylor

Michael A. Taylor has been the one outfielder most prominently tied to the Mets this offseason. The former Washington National, Kansas City Royal, and most recently, Minnesota Twin, profiles more as a fourth outfielder. However, if he can replicate his 20-plus home run season last year, a third outfielder role may not be out of the realm of possibility.

Taylor’s defensive and base running skills are well documented. Last season, he ranked in the 94th percentile in outs above average, 87th percentile in arm value, and 85th percentile in sprint speed. This is where the 32-year-old ranks on nearly a yearly basis, so excellence there is expected, it just comes down to how much his bat can get done.

Last season was the first year he surpassed the 20-home run mark across his 10-year career. His career .683 OPS is troublesome and what makes relying on him as an everyday outfielder a risky endeavor. However, given how well he fits the Stearns model, it would not be surprising to see him fulfill that third/fourth outfield role come next season. Especially given he is only projected to receive a $7-million per year contract, according to Fangraph‘s crowd-sourced projections.

Final Thoughts 

Along with starting pitching and a couple more bullpen arms, an additional outfielder is as pressing a need the Mets have. Any of the above would do a well enough job, especially the first two options, in fulfilling this need.

There are several other options as well, specifically on the free agent market; Jorge Soler (powerful bat, extremely poor fielder), Harrison Bader (extremely strong fielder, very poor bat), Kevin Kiermaier (extremely strong fielder, very poor bat), among several others. As well as the trade market. Regardless how the Mets address the need, it is a must for David Stearns and staff.