ORLANDO, Fla. — The Early Byrd got the $16 million worm Tuesday, the first domino in a free-agent outfield sweepstakes that directly impacts the Mets.
But Marlon Byrd wasn’t high on the Mets’ list of recruits, according to general manager Sandy Alderson, as he attempts to find corner-outfield help this offseason.
Byrd, who began last season with the Mets, agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies worth $16 million, sources confirmed. The Mets, according to sources, remain focused on Curtis Granderson and Nelson Cruz among free-agent outfielders. Shin-Soo Choo would be a target if his price tag doesn’t exceed the Mets’ budget — Alderson has said he likely won’t add another $100 million player to the roster to join David Wright.
The market for outfielders was set last month, when Hunter Pence signed a five-year contract worth $90 million to remain with the Giants.
Alderson, at the general managers meetings, said he wasn’t surprised by the deal Byrd received from the Phillies.
“Had you asked me the question three or four months ago, I might have been surprised,” Alderson said. “But not in light of what’s happened since the end of the season. There haven’t been that many signings, but this one is consistent with the others.”
Alderson said he never engaged in serious discussions with Byrd’s agents about the possibility of him returning to Flushing. The Mets traded Byrd and catcher John Buck to the Pirates in late-August for reliever Vic Black and minor league infielder Dilson Herrera. The 36-year-old Byrd had joined the Mets on a minor-league deal last offseason and hit .285 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs for them.
The Mets expect to meet with Choo’s agent, Scott Boras, this week — he also represents shortstop Stephen Drew — and hold discussions with Granderson’s representative Matt Brown, who isn’t attending the GM meetings.
With the competition stiff for power-hitting corner outfielders, the Mets are prepared to move fast, if need be, according to a club source.
Alderson has Juan Lagares penciled in as next season’s everyday center fielder and Eric Young Jr., would remain as part of the left-field equation. Corey Hart, in whom the Mets have interest, could figure into a left-field/first-base platoon if signed. But the big piece to the puzzle is landing a right fielder with some pop.
Cruz, who declined a $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Rangers, remains a possibility. But the Rangers are also prepared to make another run at Cruz.
“Certainly we like Nellie quite a bit, he’s been part of the best teams in the history of the franchise,” Rangers GM Jon Daniels said.
Though Citi Field remains a pitchers’ ballpark, Alderson downplayed the risk involved with trying to add an outfielder whose game is predicated upon power. The last such addition to the club, Jason Bay, was a colossal bust over three seasons.
“Even if power is discounted somewhat in our ballpark, it’s still tremendously valuable,” Alderson said. “You assume that it would be hard to hit home runs in our ballpark, I think it becomes more important to be able to do it, even if it’s a reduced number.”