MLB Insider Says New York Mets Should Be 'Front And Center' For Superstar Free Agent
It should be a busy offseason for the New York Mets, who are coming off a disappointing 75-87 season, in which they missed the playoffs.
New president of baseball operations David Stearns has a lot of work to do, but luckily he is backed by an owner in Steve Cohen, who is motivated to field a winning team.
While the upcoming free agent class isn't the strongest group, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will be on the market and the Mets should be in on him this winter.
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the team should be right there in the sweepstakes for Ohtani. Passan also believes the Mets will be "front and center" in pursuit of the superstar.
Passan also said that the Mets won't be able to resolve all of their problems in free agency due to a weaker class, but Cohen's willingness to spend big and go after the top free agents are the reason why the club will make a serious run at Ohtani.
Regarding Ohtani, 29, and whether he wants to come to New York or not, this is another point Passan mentioned. This is a question that will soon be answered in the coming months.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels for the entirety of his career, Ohtani has won the American League MVP Award (2021), Rookie of the Year and is a three-time All-Star. He could also win the Cy Young for the 2023 season.
Ohtani has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, which means he will not be able to pitch again until 2025. However, he has an elite bat and is one the best hitters in the game of baseball.