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An Amazin’ Holiday Season: The New York Mets Christmas Wishlist

By Josh Ejnes

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: A fan dressed as Santa Claus holds up a sign before the start of Game 4 of the 2015 World Series between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field on Saturday, October 31, 2015 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: A fan dressed as Santa Claus holds up a sign before the start of Game 4 of the 2015 World Series between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field on Saturday, October 31, 2015 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 10: Bryce Harrper #34 of the Washington Nationals and Mannny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles talk during their game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Bryce Harper or Manny Machado

It’s sure a pain when every kid wants the same toy, but that’s just the way that the holidays go sometimes. The quest to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado probably won’t lead to as many fist fights as the quest to get the last Cabbage Patch Doll did in the ’80s, but it will lead to the same kind of disappointment for those left empty handed.

Of the two Harper most easily fits into the Mets roster as currently constructed; Brandon Nimmo has the speed to play center field, which would leave right field open for Bryce and send Juan Lagares to the bench, a major offensive upgrade. Things might get a little crowded out there when/if Yoenis Cespedes returns post all star break, but there’s certainly worse problems to have.

Machado would be tougher to find a spot for, but he’s good that it would be worth figuring out. Todd Frazier had some durability problems last year, and when he was on the field he wasn’t totally consistent; there probably wouldn’t be major complaints from the fanbase if Machado took over for him as the primary third baseman. This wouldn’t be a move to totally erase Frazier from the lineup; he’s played first in the past, and that’s a spot that’s a real question mark for the Mets right now. There’s also some rumors that Robinson Cano might play a bit of first for the team, which would leave second open for Manny.

If Mets fans want Harper or Machado they might really have to ask Santa; the team’s ownership isn’t known for signing big name free agents, especially not ones in their primes. Since 2010 Bartolo Colon and Jason Bay have been the only free agents signed by the Mets with previous season bWARs over 4, and even then both were over 30.

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