Mets: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid this offseason

While the Mets have an immediate need at catcher, they could also stand to add an everyday center field option this winter. And would you look at that, George Springer is available!

Springer was long expected to hit the open market once he became an unrestricted free agent. But many thought that the Houston Astros would find a way to retain him. That didn’t happen, as a rumor indicated that Springer “does not want to return” to H-Town. While it does sting for Astros fans to hear that, they had to know it was coming, as he’s a top-three free agent in this class.

This past season, Springer slashed .265/.359/.540 with 14 home runs and 32 RBI in 51 games. Springer didn’t exactly have the same output he had in previous years, but that can be attributed to the 2020 campaign being shortened to 60-games due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite that, Springer and the Astros made an unprecedented trip to the ALCS, where they pushed the Tampa Bay Rays to seven games.

Springer is a solid right-handed hitter that can help New York’s primarily left-handed batting order and can provide solid defense in the outfield. This is no disrespect to current Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo, but Springer is an immediate upgrade.