Potential trade options for Mets OF, if interested

By John Pielli
Updated: January 7, 2013

Logo taken from Google Images

It would not be a surprise if the Mets move to acquire OF Collin Cowgill was the only one made to address the team’s putrid OF. More than likely though, the Mets will make at least one move to improve what has to be considered, at this point, the worst OF in MLB. The Astros, may be considered worse, but even that is up for discussion. At this point, it is still hard to imagine the team to go into 2013 with Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Mike Baxter as their everyday OF.

Should the Mets try to pursue an OF through free agency? There are options left but few left that would work within the Mets budget. Here are some options that the Mets may be interested in trading for. Some have been discussed while others have not.

9. Michael Morse, Washington: It is unlikely the Nationals would trade Morse to a division rival, but they probably do not consider the Mets a threat in the immediate future. Morse may also be out of a job if the Nationals decide to sign free agent 1B Adam LaRoche. Denard Span was acquired to play CF, which will cause Bryce Harper to move to LF. Jayson Werth playing RF leaves Morse without a position. However, if the Nationals wanted to trade Morse, they could probably get more from a team such as Seattle or Texas.

8. Jason Kubel, Arizona: As time moves on, it seems the Diamondbacks are becoming less insistent on trading Justin Upton. This leaves them with a crowded OF as Adam Eaton will play CF and Gerrado Parra is also in the mix. Kubel has one year left on his contract and he hit .253, 30, 90 in 2012.

7. Cameron Maybin, San Diego: Maybin has been a disappointment from his time as a can’t miss prospect in Detroit. The Marlins moved him to San Diego and it seemed he was starting to show the promise until his disappointing 2012 where he hit .243, 8, 45 with 26 stolen bases. He is also signed to a team friendly contract through 2016 with an option for 2017. The once would be on the Mets, or any team that trades for him, to believe enough that he can reach potential.

6. Coco Crisp, Oakland: Crisp is owed to $7 million for this season and hit .259, 11, 46 last season with 39 SB. The Athletics also have a crowded OF, with Yoennis Cespedes, Josh Reddick and Chris Young also in the mix. Crisp plays exceptional defense and can hit towards the top of the order.

5. Dexter Fowler, Colorado: Fowler would be a no brainer, but it seems like the Rockies may simply want to keep him. If so, the price will be so high that few teams would be interested. Fowler had a breakout season in 2012, hitting .300, 13, 53 with 11 3B. He plays very good defense. He is 26 and not eligible to be a free agent until 2016, raising the price a team would have to pay to obtain him. He is worth checking in on though.

4. Dayan Viciedo, Chicago White Sox: Viciedo is only 23, so it wouldn’t make sense for the White Sox to be shopping him. But, they have, if for no other reason to get a read on what teams would offer, the Sox have dangled him. He hit .255, 25, 78 and would be a solid pickup for any team that trades for him.

3. Travis Snider, Pittsburgh: Snider was just picked up by the Pirates in the trade that got the Blue Jays Brad Lincoln. A former 1st round pick, he had a solid 2012 season in AAA, hitting .335, 13, 56. He is only 25 and the Pirates may have a crowded OF as well. And the Pirates may simply not have Snider in their plans, with Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Garrett Jones probably covering the Pirates at OF and 1B.

2. Peter Bourjos, Los Angeles Angels: Bourjos will be expendable as the Angels consider whether to move him, Vernon Wells or Kendry Morales as the season gets closer. Bourjos saw his playing time cut last year, hitting just .220, 3, 19 in 2012. However, hit .271, 12, 43 with 11 3B and 22 SB in 2011 which seems closer to what could be expected playing every day.

1. Corey Hart, Milwaukee: Hart would be my top choice if I was the Mets and he would have the biggest impact per any player that could be on the trading block. Does Milwaukee have interest in moving him? They have some interest in getting some more starting pitching and Hart is a free agent after the 2013 season. Because of the short commitment of an acquiring team adding Hart, the price could drop if the Brewers are looking to move him.

Morse probably will not be traded in division. Chances are Fowler and Maybin could stay put. Out of the remaining players, it seems Hart may have the best chance in staying in Milwaukee. In my opinion, any of the previously mentioned OF would make sense for the Mets to at least try to add. I’d sign up for one of those, particularly Hart, Bourjos or Viciedo. Snider, in my opinion, could be the most underrated move that could surprise the most.