A prominent prediction suggests the Mets could land a star outfielder. Will this move soften recent departures and ignite the fan base?
The New York Mets have questions to answer after watching Edwin Diaz leave for the Los Angeles Dodgers and then watch Pete Alonso go to the Baltimore Orioles.
Suddenly, the pressure is on for David Stearns and the Mets, and patience is running thin with this fan base.
The Mets have been rumored for a number of players, including Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, while also being linked to a possible trade with teams such as the San Diego Padres.
Regarding Bellinger, David Schoenfield of ESPN had new projections, and he is predicting the Mets to land the Yankees OF in free agency.
"Stearns is clearly emphasizing defense -- bringing in Marcus Semien to play second base and ditching Alonso. Bellinger fits in that regard, especially in left field, where he would be a plus defender, and he can handle center as well. The Dodgers could be in the mix here as well, but that outfield hole for the Mets is glaring. If they aren't going to sign Tucker and if they're not willing to give a long-term deal to a pitcher, Bellinger is the best fit for them at the top of the market."
But, the question here remains contract size. Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, and the Mets reportedly didn't give a formal offer to Alonso.
Bellinger is younger, but his WAR is higher, as Schoenfield noted.
"Would the Mets give Bellinger a bigger contract than the one Alonso received from the Orioles? Bellinger is only a year younger, but over the past three seasons he has averaged 4.0 WAR while Alonso averaged 3.1."
He has the new projection for 6 years, $180 million, which would be just under the AAV that Alonso signed with the Orioles, although it might leave fans wondering why the Mets didn't just bring back Alonso instead.
Bellinger would be able to insert into the outfield with Brandon Nimmo's departure opening a spot up, and, for Bellinger, he just makes a short trip from the Bronx to Queens to play for the other NY team.
The Mets haven't been afraid to spend money lately, but, the departures of Alonso and Diaz had fans wondering where the big paycheck were.
Signing Bellinger would soften those blows a little bit for now, and there appears to be plenty of traction to him finding a way back to the National League.