New York Mets Showing Interest In Carlos Santana

There’s a new name on the New York Mets’ offseason wish list. The team is showing interest in former Cleveland Indians’ first baseman Carlos Santana, FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reports. Santana, who batted .259 with 23 home runs and 79 RBI’s for Cleveland last season, is drawing interest from at least 10 teams this winter. Many teams are looking at Santana as a potential alternative to Eric Hosmer, who is expected to land a contract of at least $100 million in free agency. Santana is older than Hosmer, bringing his price down a bit, but he is still a solid hitter who can hit between 25-30 home runs and play excellent defense at first base.

The odds aren’t likely that the Mets will win a bidding war for Santana, who has long been rumored to re-sign with Cleveland, but it speaks volumes to the team’s lack of faith in Dominic Smith. Mets’ General Manager Sandy Alderson was critical of Smith at the GM Meetings this week, telling reporters that Smith has to earn the first base job in spring training and that he needs to be careful about his conditioning for the next few years. It certainly appears as if the Mets have soured on Smith, so it is fair to wonder if their interest in first base types is a sign that Smith will be available via trade. The Mets won’t give Smith away, but he could be a key piece to land a guy like Jason Kipnis or Dee Gordon via trade.