After landing Juan Soto a few weeks ago, the New York Mets still need to supplement their lineup.
They’ve explored short-term solutions.
The Mets looked into adding Teoscar Hernández, league sources said, before the veteran outfielder decided to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday for a three-year deal worth $66 million with a club option for a fourth year. A day earlier, the Mets checked in with Hernández to see if he was open to a two-year pact. The deal would’ve carried a similar annual average value to the contract he agreed to with the Dodgers but without deferrals, a league source said.
At the start of the offseason, Hernandez, 32, candidly expressed his preference for staying with the Dodgers, but that hardly deterred other clubs. The Mets, according to people familiar with the club’s thinking, viewed him as the best option available on a potential short-term deal.
The Mets’ interest in Hernández matters because it shows their willingness to bring someone else into their mix for significant playing time either in the outfield or at designated hitter on a short-term arrangement.
Anthony Santander is the next-best outfielder/designated hitter-type. The Athletic previously reported that Santander, 30, was seeking a longer deal than Hernández. But talks with some teams have included a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value as well, a league source said.
Other bat-first options with a similar profile remain, but they exist a tier below in terms of production and expected cost.
As an example, the Mets hold some interest in a reunion with free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker, league sources said. The Mets acquired Winker, a left-handed batter, at last season’s trade deadline. With the Mets, he had a .683 OPS, played the corner outfield spots and DH and, players said, enhanced the team’s clubhouse chemistry.
As the lineup stands, the Mets’ outfield, from left to right, consists of Brandon Nimmo, Jose Siri/Tyrone Taylor and Soto. That alignment leaves Starling Marte as mostly a DH candidate. The Athletic previously reported that the Mets would be willing to absorb some of Marte’s salary in a trade.
In addition to any other potential moves, the Mets must figure out their corner infield situation. Homegrown star first baseman Pete Alonso lingers in free agency as a sensible option. In theory, the Mets could instead slide third baseman Mark Vientos to first base and either add someone new for third base or use other internal options there.
(Photo of Teoscar Hernández: Gene Wang / Getty Images)
