The Mets could target free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Monday.
Cabrera brings the baggage of his steroid suspension and attempts to dodge via a phony website, but that baggage could limit the market to the point where the cash-strapped Mets could be able to make a play on him. The Mets desperately need outfield help -- Jason Bay, Lucas Duda, Mike Baxter and Kirk Nieuwenhuis are their top four outfielders under control for 2013. Even if Cabrera slips to his 2011 level of production (.305/.339/.470, 121 OPS+) or even his 2009 level (.274/.336/.416, 93 OPS+), he would project as an upgrade.
The Mets look to have an impressive starting rotation if they can bring back R.A. Dickey and put him in front of Matt Harvey, Johan Santana, Jonathon Niese and eventually top prospect Zack Wheeler. However, with strong teams like Washington and Atlanta in their division, the Mets will need to hit the jackpot with any offensive upgrades to have a chance to compete -- a jackpot like Cabrera's truncated 2012 season.
Cabrera would likely be available on a one-year contract for under $10 million, and the Mets could tack on an option year or two onto the contract. With many contending teams not in position to gamble on Cabrera and the Mets looking for cheap upside wherever they can find it, this is one rumor that makes an abundance of sense.
