Among their remaining needs this offseason, the Mets could use a righty-hitting outfielder to come off the bench.
In a Twitter exchange last night, Mets beat writer Adam Rubin of ESPN New York acknowledged that among the things the Mets need is a righty-hitting outfielder that could start when the Mets play Michael Cuddyer at first base to spell Lucas Duda against tough lefties.
Two outfielders Rubin floated as possible targets were Ryan Ludwick and Jonny Gomes. In an article by John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ludwick, 36, said:
"I'm getting older. If I'm playing next year, it will probably be in a lesser role – whether it be a guy off the bench or platoon guy or whatever it might be. I definitely want to try to keep playing."
Ludwick went on to add that at the latter part of his playing career, "it becomes about the ring". In 2008 with the Cardinals, Ludwick hit .299 with 38 HR, 113 RBI, and a 5.2 fWAR. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, but still remains a power bat who can spot start in the outfield. Ludwick started 91 games in left field for the Cincinnati Reds last season.
Jonny Gomes, 34, is likely to be more highly sought after than Ludwick on the free agent market this offseason. Gomes is a proven leader who was an integral part of the Boston Red Sox' 2013 World Series team. He was traded with Jon Lester to the Oakland Athletics for Yoenis Cespedes last season to play a platoon role in left field and bring veteran leadership to their clubhouse.