MLB free agency is set to re-open at 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday after the MLBPA and MLB reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Now that baseball is officially back, free agents are able to sign with new teams ahead of Opening Day, which is scheduled for April 7.
Despite having already made some big moves prior to the lockout, the Mets might not be done making deals in free agency. Steve Cohen has not hidden his desire to win a World Series, by whatever means necessary, and the team's early action in the offseason suggests this could very well be the year. With that in mind, we're expecting the Mets to continue to be in play for some big-name free agents. Players may be more inclined to sign on a one-year deal considering Opening Day is rapidly approaching, something Cohen and Co. could use to their advantage.
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With that in mind, here are three free agents the Mets should try to sign now that the market is set to re-open.
3 free agents the Mets must sign now that MLB is back
3. Zack Greinke
The Mets may have added Max Scherzer to the rotation, a massive coup for the organization, but there's still room to improve. Adding a seasoned veteran such as Greinke could be a great pickup for the Mets, who lost both Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman prior to the lockout. With the two of them out of town, the Mets are relying upon a pitching staff consisting of veterans, including Carlos Carrasco who has been susceptible to injury in recent years, and Taijuan Walker who struggles with consistency.
Greinke is no longer the ace he was during his days with the Kansas City Royals, but the veteran has been to the playoffs multiple times in his career and could provide some leadership to the Mets as they look to contend for the World Series. Picking him up on a one-year deal in perhaps the last season of his career would be a great move for both parties.
2. Nelson Cruz
Nelson Cruz to the Mets is a surprisingly perfect fit now that the DH is set to hit the National League. People have been anticipating a drop off from Cruz for the past five seasons, and it's never happened. He's 41 years old now, and he's playing some of the best baseball of his career. Just last season, Cruz launched 32 home runs and drove in 86 RBI for the Twins. If he wants to win a World Series before shutting the door on his MLB career, the Mets could very well be the place to do just that.
Now that he won't be forced to play the field if he joins a National League team, interest in the veteran should rise. The Mets should be eager to bring him to town on a one-year deal in order to add another esteemed hitter to their lineup.
1. Kris Bryant
The Mets have been linked to Kris Bryant for ages, and this offseason could potentially be a chance for that deal to come to fruition. After missing out on him at the trade deadline last season, landing Javier Baez from the Cubs instead, the Mets could try to swing a deal to land the former NL MVP now that he's on the open market. Bryant wouldn't come cheap, but if Steve Cohen is willing to open up the wallet one final time to try and work out a deal for Bryant, it could pay off tremendously.
Injuries have slowed down the Mets in past seasons, but they've added the versatile Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha in the offseason. Bryant is capable of playing left field, first base, and third base, something which could prove valuable to a Mets team that always seems to be down a man or two.
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