Free agents who would improve the Mets

The Mets need better players. There are plenty of free agents available. Here is a list of free agents who would improve the Mets.

A reasonable case can be made that the Phillies signing of Marlon Byrd either was or was not wise. What's not debatable is that Byrd's departure from the free agent pool means one less available player who would improve the Mets. The front office allegedly has some money to spend and there are dozens of free agents who represent an upgrade for the Mets at various positions. For everyone's sake -- the Wilpons, Sandy Alderson, Mets fans -- I hope several of these players will be wearing orange and blue next season. Here is a list of all free agents who would make the Mets a better team. Go out and get some of these players, Sandy Alderson.

Notes:

• I included players like Robinson Cano, who won't sign with the Mets but would nonetheless be an upgrade at second base.
• If a player should be added to or removed from the list, suggest it in the comments. I'll update accordingly. Click here for a list of free agents.
• I will update this list periodically as players are signed this offseason.

Starting Pitcher

Bronson Arroyo
Scott Baker
A.J. Burnett
Bartolo Colon
Scott Feldman
Matt Garza
Roy Halladay
Dan Haren
Tim Hudson
Phil Hughes
Ubaldo Jimenez
Josh Johnson
Scott Kazmir
Hiroki Kuroda
Paul Maholm
Ricky Nolasco
Mike Pelfrey
Ervin Santana
Jason Vargas

Relief Pitcher

Grant Balfour
Joaquin Benoit
Joba Chamberlain
Bruce Chen
Jesse Crain
Scott Downs
Jason Frasor re-signed with Rangers, 1 year, $1.75 million
Mike Gonzalez
Kevin Gregg
LaTroy Hawkins
J.P. Howell
Boone Logan
Javier Lopez
Edward Mujica
Joe Nathan
Pat Neshek
Manny Parra
Chris Perez
Oliver Perez (ha)
Fernando Rodney
Joe Smith
Matt Thornton
Jose Veras
Brian Wilson
Jamey Wright

Catcher

Note: Unless Travis d'Arnaud is traded, there's no reason to sign a top-flight catcher. Signing a back-up catcher might make sense though.

John Buck
Brian McCann
Dioner Navarro
Carlos Ruiz
Jarrod Saltalamacchia

First Base

Corey Hart
Kendrys Morales
Mike Napoli

Second Base

Robinson Cano
Omar Infante (I would prefer Daniel Murphy to Infante but it's close)

Third Base

nope

Shortstop

Stephen Drew
Jhonny Peralta

Outfield

Carlos Beltran
Marlon Byrd signed with Phillies, 2 years, $16 million plus third-year option
Shin-Soo Choo
Nelson Cruz
Jacoby Ellsbury
Curtis Granderson
Kelly Johnson
Nate McLouth
Mike Morse
David Murphy
Chris Young