After Monday’s Jeff McNeil trade with the Athletics, the Mets are interested “in adding a right-handed batter to balance out their lineup,” according to a report by Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
New York officials view the move “as more about roster reconstruction than payroll restructuring” since McNeil “no longer held a spot in the infield and was locked into left field,” Rosenthal and Sammon reported.
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The Mets recently signed the switch-hitting Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract with versatility — first base included — as a plus.
New York’s interest in a right-handed batter, however, “could end up being someone who can also play first base,” Rosenthal and Sammon reported.
At first base, the Mets did not re-sign the right-handed Pete Alonso, who inked with the Baltimore Orioles for five years and $155 million earlier this month.
Fellow right-handed batter Mark Vientos, who primarily plays third base, joins Polanco on New York’s depth chart at first base after slashing .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 121 games last season.
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Elsewhere in the infield, the Mets landed right-handed batter and three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers through a deal for outfielder Brandon Nimmo late last month.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Bo Bichette are among the top right-handed bats on the free-agent market but “likely will command more years than the Mets want to tolerate,” Rosenthal and Sammon reported.
