The NY Mets are coming into the offseason after losing the World Series and the team could dip a bit into free agency, as New York is likely parting with free agents Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy. The team will need to replace those players and names like Ben Zobrist, Gerardo Parra and Denard Span could be targets in free agency, while Jackie Bradley Jr. could be a trade option.
The Mets are expected to spend somewhat in free agency this offseason and according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, Zobrist is a main target for the team. The Post reports that the team has "formally reached out" to Zobrist's agent and that the Mets will "figure to make a strong push for" Zobrist to take over at second base.
Zobrist is one of the more popular free agents due to his versatility on the market and teams like the Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Mets, Astros and Cubs have been mentioned as potential landing spots. Davidoff writes that Zobrist could be looking to get a contract in the $60 million range after hitting 13 home runs and helping the Royals win the World Series. Zobrist can play nearly any position on the field and he can help teams at all three outfield spots, second base, shortstop and even first base if needed.
Zobrist can fill a lot of needs for the Mets, but if the team doesn't end up signing him, there are other options out there, including Gerardo Parra. Signing Parra or trading for Jackie Bradley over signing Zobrist will not help fill the second base void that Daniel Murphy likely will leave, but the team also is looking to add help in the outfield. According to Mark Carig at Newsday, the Mets have shown interest in Parra and he could be an option to use in a platoon with Juan Lagares.
The Mets showed some interest in a trade for Parra before he was moved from the Brewers to the Orioles and now they could consider him a free agent option. Parra was solid while hitting .291 with 14 home runs, 36 doubles and 51 RBI and if the Mets miss out on Zobrist, Parra could be a backup option. ESPN New York reports that Cespedes is unlikely to sign back with the Mets and that will mean some shuffling in the outfield for the team and Sandy Alderson will be looking to add in free agency or through trades.
Bradley has continued to come up in trade rumors and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Royals, Mets, Chicago Cubs and Nationals have expressed interest in Bradley. The Red Sox have already shown a willingness to make trades this offseason after acquiring Craig Kimbrel and Bradley now could be moved as well. The Mets are not expected to make a major splash on free agents this offseason, but the team is expected to spend on middle to lower tier names on the market.