Although one Mets insider told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday that the outfield may be set without the addition of a bona fide starter, another official familiar with the organization's intentions said Friday that outfield at least remains on the shopping list. The other areas of pursuit: a starting pitcher to replace R.A. Dickey and bullpen depth. A source said a trade remains possible to address needs.
Chris Young
#55 SP
New York Mets
2012 STATS
- GM20
W4
L9
BB36
K80
- ERA4.15
Chris Young remains a viable option to be re-signed to fill the rotation void.
Young, returning from surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder, made 20 starts for the Mets in 2012 and went 4-9 with a 4.15 ERA in 115 innings. The innings total was his highest since logging 173 innings with San Diego in 2007. Young earned roughly $2.3 million with performance-based incentives.
"His record didn't indicate it, but we didn't get him a lot of run support," Terry Collins said after Young's final start of the season. "But he did a very good job, and I'm very happy he made it through the year healthy. His last two starts his velocity climbed. His velocity was up 3, 4 mph, which I was very impressed with."
Neither person aware of the Mets' plans listed adding a catcher who would break camp with the team as a priority.
Anthony Recker
#0 C
New York Mets
2012 STATS
- GM22
HR1
RBI4
R4
OBP.263
- AVG.143
That suggests that unless prospect Travis d'Arnaud breaks camp with the Mets as the No. 1 catcher, which is not the likelihood, Anthony Recker should serve as John Buck's backup behind the plate.
Recker, 29, is a waiver claim from the Cubs. He has hit a combined .152 with one homer and four RBIs in 66 at-bats at the major league level over the past two seasons, with Chicago and Oakland. (Read a new feature on Recker in the Allentown, Pa., Morning Call here.)
"I really don't know what their plans are for me," Recker told the newspaper. "I talked briefly with the team after they claimed me and they relayed to me that they thought I could be an asset to the team. So I just want to go to spring training and show I'm capable of handling anything they expect of me."
As for remaining free agents, check out ESPN's full tracker here.