Scott Hairston, a pleasant surprise for the Mets last season, has been aiming high in free agency this winter. A lowering of his asking price could keep him in New York while still getting him a healthy raise.
The righty-hitting outfielder, 32, has been asking for a two-year contract, and multiple industry observers have compared him favorably to Jonny Gomes, whom the Red Sox gave two years and $10 million. But Hairston hasn’t agreed to terms, and one official from a non-New York team opined, on the condition of anonymity, “At this point, I’d have to think he would consider a one-year deal at the right number.”
Hairston’s agent, Casey Close, told ESPN New York that Hairston will make his decision “in a matter of days.”
The Mets, in desperate need of outfield help, particularly outfielders who hit righty, want to retain Hairston, while the Yankees, whose three starting outfielders all hit left-handed, also have been negotiating with him. The Braves and Phillies also have been in the mix.
Hairston made $1.1 million when he hit a career-high 20 home runs in 377 at-bats for the 2012 Mets, so he’s in line for a nice pay increase even if he has to settle for a one-year deal. Gomes’ $5 million annual average appears to be a fair benchmark. Also 32, Gomes hit 18 home runs in 279 at-bats last season for the Athletics.
Baseball folks regard Hairston as a platoon player, which limits his market. For his career, he has a .325 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers, compared to .288 and .416 against righties.
The Yankees signed righty-hitting outfielder Matt Diaz to a minor-league contract, and between Diaz and waiver claim Russ Canzler, they feel they have some interesting righty-hitting options. As The Post first reported last week, they expressed interest in the switch-hitting Lance Berkman before Berkman signed with Texas.
Both the Yankees and Mets have expressed interest in righty-hitting outfielder Ben Francisco, his agent John Boggs said. The Rays non-tendered Francisco, 31, following the 2012 season. For his career, Francisco hits lefties (.329 OBP/.414 SLG) and righties (.324/.430) about the same, and neither exceptionally well, so he doesn’t rank high on the list.
* The Mets continue to search for starting pitching, and infamous former Yankee Carl Pavano remains an option, as The Post first reported last month. Said Pavano’s agent, Dave Pepe, of the Mets: “We clearly have an interest, and I think they do, too. We’ll see where it goes.”
Though Pavano missed the bulk of last season with a right arm injury, Pepe said that Pavano’s workouts are “going great,” and the right-hander, who turns 37 today, will be ready for the start of spring training.
The Mets have kicked the tires on virtually every available starting pitcher, from the familiar Chris Young to free agents Shaun Marcum and Joe Saunders to trade possibilities Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang of the Dodgers. They have about $10 million to spend and hope they can entice someone with the guaranteed spot in their starting rotation created by the trade of R.A. Dickey to Toronto.
kdavidoff@nypost.com