Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets are exploring center field options for 2017. Could Andrew McCutchen or Billy Hamilton be a possibility?
The New York Mets are loaded in the outfield. From Yoenis Cespedes to Jay Bruce to Michael Conforto to Curtis Granderson, Sandy Alderson’s club certainly could do without another outfield acquisition.
This doesn’t mean they don’t need a center fielder.
All of these current Amazins are corner outfielders. Juan Lagares is the only true center fielder on the Mets roster, and he’s more a bench-type moving forward. This is why Sandy is after a solid CF.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Alderson and the Mets are “semi-engaged” in trade talks that would yield them a starting center fielder.
The Mets have, in fact, spoken with the Pittsburgh Pirates about Andrew McCutchen. All of these discussions have taken place at the preliminary level and have been off and on with not much momentum. Word on the street is Pittsburgh is looking for a young starting pitcher. This is, obviously, an area the Mets are plentiful.
Rosenthal also makes mention of Cincinnati Reds speedster Billy Hamilton, but since Alderson values on-base percentage, Hamilton may not be what the doctor ordered.
The Kansas City Royals possess two center fielders in Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson, both, of which were discussed with the Mets during the Winter Meetings. The Mets, however, do not want a one-year solution and view Dyson as a similar player to Lagares.
Although Alderson has seemingly sacrificed defense for offense, up to this point in his Mets tenure, it’d be wise to make sure this isn’t the outfield he heads into 2017 with. Granderson and/or Cespedes/Conforto isn’t a solid defensive option to begin a fresh campaign.
Right now, it’s anybody’s best guess as to where this corner-loaded outfield is heading.