The Mets are at least “entertaining” the idea of adding an outfielder and there’s a new free agent about to hit the market.
Seiya Suzuki, a 27-year-old slugger, is set to be posted by his current team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, on Monday.
As of now, the signing deadline for MLB teams would be Dec. 22, but that figures to change once the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 2.
That would give teams just 10 days to sign Suzuki before a work stoppage would freeze the sport. According to The Post’s Joel Sherman, Suzuki would get the remaining 20 days whenever the expected lockout ends.
How that impacts Suzuki remains to be seen.
He hit 26 homers for Hiroshima last season, and, with the expected departure of Michael Conforto from Queens after Conforto rejected the $18.4 million qualifying offer from the Mets, they’ll have a hole to fill.
The Mets could also make a run at Starling Marte and insert him into center field.
During his introductory press conference, new GM Billy Eppler stressed the importance of adding to the starting rotation, especially in the wake of losing Noah Syndergaard to the Angels after the right-hander also turned down the qualifying offer.
“We’re going to have some resources behind us,” Eppler said. “We had one player who signed somewhere else, in Noah, and we just really want to reinforce the overall depth. We are going to entertain things in the outfield and entertain things in the infield.”
Industry sources have indicated Suzuki could get a contract anywhere from three to five years and $7 million to $10 million per year.
The new CBA and how it impacts payrolls and the competitive-balance tax will no doubt play a role in what Suzuki — and the rest of the current crop of free agents — receives whenever transactions resume.
A return for Conforto isn’t completely out of the question, but he figures to be able to find a better deal elsewhere, with the Phillies and Mariners expected to spend freely for outfield help.
Both teams, as well as the Rangers, Braves and others are also believed to be interested in Suzuki.
Kris Bryant, Nick Castellanos and Chris Taylor are also available, but Castellanos and Taylor declined qualifying offers, meaning the Mets would have to give up the No. 14-overall pick in next year’s draft to sign either one.
Team president Sandy Alderson has already said the Mets would rather not sign a free agent that would cost a draft pick.
Suzuki, obviously, would not fall into that category. He also stole 25 bases in 2020.
With the impending lockout looming — and the team still in need of a manager after Luis Rojas’ contract was not renewed following the season — it may take a while for the outfield to get settled, especially since Brandon Nimmo appears to be the only outfielder on the roster assured of a spot next season.
And with starting pitching the only market moving swiftly this offseason, the Mets may choose to start there when it comes to offseason improvements.