Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

With the Mets having 11 free agents, there are going to be a host of new faces heading to the Big Apple and donning the blue and orange next season. However, there are some intriguing names on the market that have done so already, and we’re going to take a look at them and determine whether or not the Mets should bring them back.

Noah Syndergaard, SP, Phillies

After appearing like a lock to return to the Mets after missing all of 2020 and most of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery, Syndergaard declined the Mets’ qualifying offer and bolted to Los Angeles to join the Angels on a 1-year, $21-million deal. He made 15 starts for the team and recorded a 3.85 ERA over that stretch before being traded to the Phillies, where he appeared in 10 games and put up a 4.12 ERA.

One of the best Mets’ starters of the past decade, Syndergaard just simply isn’t the pitcher he once was. His velocity has dipped significantly, and his strikeout numbers have dropped all the way down to 6.35 per nine. He was still effective in 2022 and put up a 2.2 fWAR on the year, but it wouldn’t make much sense for the Mets to pursue a reunion when they have more of a need for front-end starters, which Syndergaard isn’t anymore.

Justin Turner, 3B, Dodgers 

For the better part of the last decade, Turner was a case of “what could have been” for the Mets. After spending parts of four seasons with the franchise and slashing .267/.327/.371 from 2011 to 2013, he was non-tendered and subsequently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2014 season. The rest was history, as he went on to spend nine seasons in L.A that earned him two All-Star appearances, a World Series ring, and 34 fWAR while slashing .296/.375/.490.

Turner had a solid 2022 campaign, slashing .278/.350/.438 to go with 2.4 fWAR and 123 wRC+. However, he will be 38 at the start of next season and his defense has declined immensely, putting up -2 Outs Above Average last season.

His power has also dipped as he recorded his lowest slugging percentage as a Dodger in 2022 and his home run total was down to 13 from 27 just a season ago. He profiles as more of a designated hitter this day in age, and with both Brett Baty and Eduardo Escobar in tow as capable options at the hot corner, it’s tough to see how Turner would fit on the roster.

Michael Conforto, OF, FA

The last two years or so have been a roller coaster for Conforto. After a stellar 2020 campaign that earned him MVP votes, he declined a $100-million offer from the Mets in his contract year and decided to bet on himself. That proved to be a mistake as he had a down 2021 season in which he slashed .232/.344/.384 to go with 1.4 fWAR. He then declined the Mets qualifying offer in the off-season and proceeded to go unsigned for the rest of 2022 after injuring his right shoulder.

It feels as though Conforto’s legacy has been tarnished due to recent events, but there are still reasons for the Mets to be interested in potentially bringing him back if Brandon Nimmo signs elsewhere. Over the course of his Mets’ career, he was one of the premier corner outfielders in the league and slashed .255/.356/.468 while recording 19.3 fWAR and 132 home runs. He would be a low-risk, high-reward signing if it were to happen and could bring power to a lineup that desperately needs it as well.

Brad Hand, RP, Phillies

Hand’s 2021 was a bit of a whirlwind, as he spent time with three different teams and was claimed off waivers by the Mets in September after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished that year with a 3.90 ERA and -0.1 fWAR, making it his first season with under 1.0 fWAR since 2015. However, his tenure in New York was largely successful as he recorded a 2.70 ERA in 16 games.

He was able to bounce back a bit in 2022 with the Phillies to the tune of a 2.80 ERA over 55 games, but it appears as though he overperformed as evidenced by his 4.40 xERA, 3.94 FIP and 4.90 xFIP. His strikeout and walk per nine numbers dropped to 7.60 and 4.60 respectively, and overall it appears as if his best days are behind him.

Despite their pressing need for bullpen arms and lefties in particular, the Mets should be able to find better fits elsewhere on the free agent market or via trade.

Michael Wacha, SP, Red Sox

Wacha’s one-year stint with the Mets in 2020 was somewhat of a failed experiment. He made eight starts and seven appearances resulting in a 6.62 ERA, 5.15 FIP and 0.0 fWAR. He struggled with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 as well before having his best season in years with the Boston Red Sox in 2022. With Boston, he made 23 starts and amassed 1.5 fWAR to go with a 3.32 ERA while re-establishing himself as a capable and efficient starter.

He does profile as more of a back-end starter though, and there just isn’t an inherent need on New York’s roster for that kind of pitcher as is the case with Syndergaard. Both sides seem likely to find better options and opportunities elsewhere.

Michael Fulmer, RP, Twins

The main piece of the Yoenis Céspedes trade, Fulmer found early success with the Detroit Tigers as a starter and even earned both AL Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors in his first two seasons. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2019, he transitioned to the bullpen in 2021 and has since become a borderline elite weapon, recording a 3.17 ERA and 2.2 fWAR over 117 games since. His 2022 showing wasn’t quite as impressive as 2021, but he still proved to be a reliable middle reliever with a 3.35 ERA.

With the Mets being tasked with essentially rebuilding the entirety of their bullpen, bringing in Fulmer would make a lot of sense.

Brandon Drury, INF, Padres

Drury was one of the breakout stars of the first half with the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .278/336/.528 with a 133 wRC+ during that period. He was later flipped to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline and took a step back after relocating to a more pitcher-friendly environment, but still held his own with a slash line of .238/.290/.435.

Drury played in a limited capacity with the Mets in 2021 and slashed .274/.307/.476. His main draw as it pertains to returning to New York is his ability to hit lefties, whom he slashed .299/.329/.626 against this year, as well as his power as he hit 28 homers this year. He also played five different positions in 2021, adding some coveted versatility into the mix.

There isn’t a clear path for him to earn consistent playing time in the field though, and he would likely settle in as a platoon designated hitter if he were to return. The Mets should have interest here, but the main question is whether or not Drury would accept a likely part-time role when he is going to receive starting opportunities on the open market.