The Mets’ intention to “Never Surrender” in their quest for increased home-run production next season has them considering Corey Hart.
About a dozen teams have interest in the former All-Star, according to industry sources, and the Mets are among them as they attempt to find legitimate protection for David Wright in the middle of their lineup.
But the big question might be whether the Mets view the 31-year-old Hart as a first baseman or outfielder at this point in his career. Hart missed all of last season with the Brewers after undergoing surgery on both knees and there are questions whether he has enough mobility to handle a corner outfield position, even on a part-time basis.
Hart batted .270 with 30 homers and 83 RBIs for the Brewers in 2012, splitting the season between first base and the outfield. But he had surgery on his right knee in January, and before returning underwent surgery last summer on the other knee, costing him the entire season. His best year in the major leagues came in 2010, when he batted .283 with 31 homers and 102 RBIs for the Brewers with a .865 OPS.
Hart’s price tag likely would be considerably less than the $10 million he earned last year and likely wouldn’t preclude the Mets from pursuing bigger-ticket items such as Jhonny Peralta and Curtis Granderson.
But with a glut of first baseman, the Mets could look to trade Ike Davis and Lucas Duda, giving Hart the job outright. According to a club source, the Mets almost certainly will tender a contract to the arbitration-eligible Davis, with the idea he can be used as trade bait if necessary, despite his disastrous 2013 season, a year after he rebounded from an awful first half.
But there is still some thought throughout the industry Hart can play the outfield, leaving first base to either Davis or Duda in a potential platoon with Josh Satin.
As it stands, the Mets have a serious need in the outfield behind Juan Lagares, who is expected to play center field on an everyday basis. Eric Young Jr. would ideally be part of a platoon in left field for the Mets and right field remains wide open.
The internal candidates for outfield jobs include Matt den Dekker, Andrew Brown and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
Another reclamation project, Rafael Furcal, is of interest to the Mets as they seek an upgrade at shortstop. Bronson Arroyo and Phil Hughes are among the starting pitchers the Mets could pursue seriously as they search for a veteran arm in the middle of their rotation.