It seems like the Mets want to bolster designated hitter and the order’s impact against right-handed pitchers.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets showed interest in DH/outfielder Joc Pederson before he went to the Rangers on a two-year, $37 million deal this week.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported on Monday that Pederson, 32, was in agreement with Texas. With the Diamondbacks in 2024, Pederson, a lefty-hitting platoon bat, hit .275 with a .908 OPS, 23 home runs and 64 RBI. He batted 42 times against lefties, doing all of his damage against righties, where he posted a 158 OPS+.
It was a bounce-back season for Pederson, who hit .235 with a .764 OPS and 15 home runs for the Giants in 2023.
The Mets still have some offseason questions to answer — like whether they’ll bring back first baseman Pete Alonso — but the interest in Pederson suggests they could be looking for some left-handed power. Could that mean the Mets may be interested in a reunion with Jesse Winker?
The Mets acquired Winker at the deadline and he proceeded to slash .243/.318/.365 and contributed to the Mets’ exciting October. He’s not the strongest defender, but the Mets’ interest in Pederson — who did not play the field in 2024 — suggests they’re open to adding a DH-type player, especially one who mashes against righties.
Between the Mets and Nationals in 2024, Winker, 31, hit .253 with a .764 OPS, 14 home runs and 58 RBI. He had a 123 OPS+ against righties in 404 plate appearances.
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