5 potential free agent suitors for George Springer

2. New York Mets

As Steve Cohen gets ready to take ownership reigns, the Mets will reportedly look to make a big splash this offseason. That automatically puts them in the conversation for the top free agents (Springer, J.T. Realmuto, Trevor Bauer).

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has made a case for the Mets operating as a win-now operation, apart from currently have the 10th-highest projected 2021 payroll.

"Can you have a win-now team that hasn’t been winning? Yes. Because the Mets have an unquestioned ace and have already squandered elite years of his prime. But also because the Mets have been held back by a few key elements. They are too left-handed on offense. They are too much of a sieve on defense. And — more of an intangible — they operate amid a negativity that drains attention and energy."

The Mets have indeed wasted a chunk of Jacob deGrom‘s prime. He is the last consistent, healthy, ace-level vestige of what once looked like a young starting rotation that would keep the Mets atop the NL East for years. One World Series appearance did come, in 2015, but otherwise it’s been pretty ugly for the Mets.

A new era under fresh ownership is coming for New York’s other team. Exploring a trade from outfield depth (Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto; if we’re ranking likelihood) for a starting pitcher would be ideal. That would clear a spot for Springer, and if Cohen wants to open the checkbook the Mets stand to be in the mix.