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New York Mets: If Cespedes Leaves Could Fowler Come to Queens?

By Jason Evans

Oct 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the 7th inning in game two of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the 7th inning in game two of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the New York Mets sign Dexter Fowler if Yoenis Cespedes leaves?

By now, we’ve all seen the reports about Yoenis Cespedes planning to opt out of his deal with the New York Mets after the end of the World Series. For the Mets, it leaves them with a big power hole in the middle of their order. If Cespedes leaves and the Mets pick up Jay Bruce‘s option and keep him, their outfield would then be Bruce, Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares.

Could the Mets add a different free agent outfielder?

"One alternative would be Fowler, but that would tilt the Mets toward a different type of offense. The Mets have yet to reveal how much they are willing to spend. For example, if they are budgeting $100 million for their offense, would they be better off investing in just Cespedes or, say, Fowler and re-signing Neil Walker, which likely would come in south of $100 million?They are switch-hitters and so are Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes. This would remove a big slugger, but could give the Mets a more diverse and deeper group (including the bench)."

The Mets would certainly be deeper. They would have five outfielders who could play at any time. They could move Conforto to first and non-tender Lucas Duda. Reyes gives the Mets infield insurance in case David Wright can’t play. Granderson will be a free agent after 2017 and I can’t see the Mets keeping him after his contract expires.

We’ve seen the game change to the point where you need as much flexibility and depth everywhere. The Cubs rode that to  a pennant this year, even getting a big bat back during the World Series.

A combination of Fowler and Reyes would give the Mets speed, make them a bit less reliant on the home run ball and diversify the offense a bit, something the Mets could use.

Next: Shields wont opt-out

For the Cubs, I can’t see them letting Fowler go. The one slump they got into this year was when he was out of the lineup. Yes, they have Albert Almora and Jason Heyward can play center if needed, and with the emergence of Javier Baez, Ben Zobrist is going to be seeing his fair share of outfield time as well. Don’t forget Kyle Schwarber is back and they also have Jorge Soler.

Would Fowler make sense for the Mets as a replacement for Cespedes? Yes, but I think it’s unlikely.

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