The New York Mets will be evaluating a number of options at the Winter Meetings after their strong start to last season devolved into a rapid fall in the standings and a failure to make the playoffs.
And it was made clear that the team is willing to consider significant roster changes when it traded long-time outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Marcus Semien. If the Mets are looking to add another veteran infielder with a World Series championship pedigree, it could look for a way to add free agent Alex Bregman.
After joining the Boston Red Sox last winter, Bregman opted out of his contract and has returned to free agency. His fit with a resetting Mets club makes sense, at least on paper.
“Bregman would bring three important elements to the Mets: a plus bat, plus defense, and leadership,” Danny Abriano wrote for SNY. “For a Mets team in need of a jolt in the lineup, improved defense, and perhaps some more leadership, Bregman checks all the boxes. As a bonus, he would also give them a needed right-handed bat in a lineup that is left-heavy.”
Without a significant addition, the Mets are likely to use Brett Baty and Mark Vientos at third, with Ronny Mauricio as another potential option. But Bregman would be a defensive and offensive upgrade over all of those players, coming off of an All-Star season and a Gold Glove Award from the year before that.
While the Mets could be considering a move to acquire Bregman, one the organization’s young stars is already benefitting from his expertise.
“Mets top prospect Jett Williams has been working out with star free agent third baseman Alex Bregman in Arizona,” On SI’s Pat Ragazzo reported.
Whether or not the Mets sign Bregman, they can hope that he imparts some valuable lessons on Williams, who is the franchise’s No. 3 ranked prospect, per MLB.com. Williams isn’t listed as a third baseman, but he has played shortstop and second base in addition to the outfield.
Williams batted just .209 in Triple-A this past season, so it seems his offensive game could use some polishing before he’s ready to contribute to a Mets team looking to make up for a lost year. And perhaps while he is training with Bregman, the young prospect can put in a good word that leads the veteran to sign a new contract to join that effort next season.
