MLB free agents: Here are the top 5 remaining who could fit with Mets
Cubs free agent Kyle Tucker rounds the bases after homering during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Oct. 9 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
The Mets lost two of this winter’s most prized free agents, Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso, over the span of 24 hours at the winter meetings. So with president of baseball ops David Stearns tasked with the job of filling his roster’s many holes, here’s a list of some top available free-agent options.
Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF
Bellinger happens to be a great defender at the Mets’ two biggest positional needs at the moment, and we know how Stearns is prioritizing run-prevention this offseason. Also a proven big-city commodity who excelled in the Bronx last season (29 HRs, .813 OPS).
Kyle Tucker, OF
Stearns didn’t sound like he had the appetite for adding another mega-contract like the one Tucker is predicted to get ($300-$400 million range). But after a brutal week in Orlando, maybe he’ll change his mind. Tucker is the top bat on the market, and the Mets badly need offense after losing Alonso and trading Nimmo.
Robert Suarez, RP
The Mets don’t technically need a closer, since Stearns seems comfortable handing Diaz’s vacancy to Devin Williams, but signing Suarez could bump him back to the set-up role. The two-time All-Star, who throws 99 mph with a devastating changeup and sinker, led the NL with 40 saves last season.
Kazuma Okamoto, 1B/3B
The former Yomiuri Giants star could provide a similar profile as Alonso at first base as a righty slugger with 30-homer power to go with a .274 career average and .856 OPS. Seems like a better fit than the more-hyped Munetaka Murakami, who strikes out more with a higher whiff rate.
Ranger Suarez, SP
With the Mets likely unwilling to go top of the market for Framber Valdez, a solid rotation upgrade would be Suarez, who could be had on a shorter-term deal. A familiar NL East foe who excelled for the Phillies, Suarez features a six-pitch repertoire that produces soft contact despite a 90-mph fastball.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
