The Mets may be in search of an outfielder. Alex Rios is in search of a team. Is there a fit?
The day after the end of the World Series means one thing: The beginning of the free agency period in Major League Baseball. Along with that comes the questions that surround each team regarding who, if anyone, they will pick up to improve their on-field performance.
The Mets appear to be a team that might make some moves, and one of those moves could be to boost their underperforming outfield, with Michael Cuddyer possibly an option. Another name that could be on the list, according to NJ.com's Mike Vorkunov, is Alex Rios.
The Mets have long been assumed to be looking to upgrade a corner outfield position this offseason and have been reportedly linked with several free agent outfielders...One outfielder on the market who could fit the profile is Alex Rios. The Rangers declined an option on him this month, making him a free agent.
Ater hitting no fewer than 13 home runs in each of the previous nine seasons, Rios hit just four in 2014, though his agent told The Dallas News the drop in production was due to injuries Rios played through during the second half of the season.Several teams have expressed interest in Rios already today, though the Mets were not one of them.
If injuries have prevented Rios from recapturing the power he possessed in 2012 with the White Sox that saw him hit 25 home runs and drive in 91 runs, a change of scenery and a return to full health could be the key to getting him to at least part of the player that he once was and would provide the team with a little pop in their lineup. It could also serve as a nice fallback option if things with Cuddyer do not come together. However, such a deal has considerable potential to blow up in the team's face (a la Chris Young) and not panning out at all.