The Mets had interest in free agent designated hitter/outfielder Joc Pederson before he signed a two-year deal with the Rangers, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The above is notable because it signals the Mets’ willingness to add a DH option this offseason.
Pederson, whose deal with the Rangers will be worth $37 million and contains a player opt-out after the first season, was the Diamondbacks’ primary DH in 2024 as he hit 23 homers and had an OPS of .908 over 132 games.
The Mets are set at both corner outfield spots (Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo), and in center field (Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, and eventually Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams), meaning Pederson would have been a DH option/extra outfielder if added.
New York’s interest in Pederson could bode well when it comes to a potential reunion with Jesse Winker.
Like Pederson, Winker is a left-handed hitter.
Winker also has some pop, with an .804 career OPS.
If the Mets don’t re-sign Winker, other DH/outfield options on the free agent market include Eloy Jimenez, who is coming off a down year (.626 OPS) for the White Sox and Orioles after a deadline trade.
As things currently stand, it’s possible that Starling Marte is the Mets’ most likely DH option for the 2025 season. But the Mets have made Marte available via trade as he enters the final year of his contract.
