Who Are the Best Remaining Free Agents?

The Mets, you may have noticed, have a lot of holiday shopping to do. Who’s on first? (Sometimes Jorge Polanco, apparently.) We know Brett Baty will play third, but I don’t know who’s in left, at the top of the rotation with Nolan McLean or getting the ball to closer Devin Williams.

Here’s a look at the best of what’s left of the free agents out there, whether they would fit the Mets and if there has been any chatter about them coming to New York.

Photo Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Offense

OF Kyle Tucker — He would fit in the outfield and the lineup and adding him would flip the Mets’ offseason narrative. The Blue Jays are thought to be the favorite to sign him, with the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers in the mix, according to reports.
1B-OF Cody Bellinger — Great fit in the field and with the bat. An even better fit if you want to make stealing a player from the Yankees an annual event. He has been linked to the Mets often, with talk picking up after Pete Alonso left.
1B Munetaka Murakami — He hit 56 home runs in Japan in 2022. He hit 22 this year in 56 games before he was sidelined by an oblique injury. But he strikes out a lot and his defense is questionable. The window to sign him closes in six days on December 22. He has been connected to the Mets, Red Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Blue Jays and others.
1B Kazuma Okamoto — A better defender than his countryman Murakami, which would make him a better fit given David Stearns’ thirst for run prevention. He can also play third. He hits for less power, but strikes out less. The Mets are among a bunch of teams on the radar. His signing window closes Jan. 4.
1B Ryan O’Hearn — He can play first and left so we have a match. The latest reports have the Reds and Pirates interested. Could be a fallback option.
SS Bo Bichette, 3B Alex Bregman, 3B-DH Eugenio Suarez, C J.T. Realmuto, 2B Luis Arraez, CF Harrison Bader, DH Marcell Ozuna, and 1B Rhys Hoskins — Misfits and/or free agents I have not seen connected to the Mets of late.

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Starters

LHP Framber Valdez — Every good starting pitcher is a fit and ones who provide length are even better. Valdez has thrown more than 190 innings in three of the last four seasons and the other year he threw 176 1/3. David Peterson led the Mets last season at 168 2/3 innings. Valdez, along with the next four pitchers listed, have been connected to the Mets. However, there have been reports that Stearns is reluctant to hand out a long-term deal to a starting pitcher.
LHP Ranger Suárez — He is a good starting pitcher, therefore, see above, though he hasn’t been the innings eater that Valdez is. He tosssed a career-high 157 1/3 innings this season. Subtracting him from the Phillies is a bonus.
RHP Tatsuya Imai — He was excellent in Japan this season, pitching to a 1.92 ERA in 163 2/3 innings with 178 strikeouts this season. His signing window closes on Jan. 2.
RHP Michael King — He is likely, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, to be the next starting pitcher to sign. He is looking for a four-year deal while the three pitchers above want five or more years. The Mets, Yanks, Cubs, Orioles and Red Sox are interested.
RHP Zac Gallen — We have now reached the point where I don’t know if the starter would be an improvement over who the Mets have in the middle of the rotation. Gallen’s ERA was 4.83 last year, though his peak was Cy Young output.
Some of the rest: RHP Lucas Giolito, RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Zack Littell, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Dustin May

Relievers

RHP Pete Fairbanks – A 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27 saves in 32 tries this year make him the best of the free agent relievers remaining. He struck out 59 in 60 1/3 innings. There is not much left on the free agent relief market.
RHP Luke Weaver – 3.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, 64 2/3 innings.
RHP Brad Keller – 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, 69 2/3 innings.
RHP Seranthony Dominguez – 3.16 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 79 strikeouts, 62 2/3 innings.
RHP Michael Kopech – 2.45 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 12 strikeouts, 11 innings.