The 30-year old also drew interest from the Red Sox before signing with the Mets.
The New York Mets have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Chris Young, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The deal, which is pending a physical, will pay Young $7.25 million in 2014, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
Young, 30, became a free agent after the Athletics declined their $11 million team option for him at the beginning of the month.
He expressed interest in signing with his hometown Astros throughout the offseason, and ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported that the Red Sox had him among their backup plans in case Jacoby Ellsbury signed elsewhere. The Mets expressed consistent interest in Young in an effort to fill their outfield vacancies.
In 107 games with Oakland in 2013, Young hit only .200 with 12 HR and 40 RBI in what ranks as the worst statistical season of his eight-year major league career. He posted the best season of his career in 2010, hitting .257 with 27 HR and 91 RBI while being named to the National League All-Star team. For his career with the Diamondbacks (2006-2012) and Athletics (2013), Young is a lifetime .235 hitter with 144 HR and 448 RBI. He is known as a good defender, and has demonstrated good speed throughout his career.
Even though Young is signed, the Mets are not done looking for outfield additions. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, they are still in the mix to sign Nelson Cruz, who is expected to demand a high-value, multi-year contract on the open market. New York has also been linked to high-profile free agents like Curtis Granderson, Jhonny Peralta and Robinson Cano, but team executives have expressed that they are not looking to hand out contracts worth more than $100 million this winter.