More CF Options for the Mets

Although yesterday I was advocating the signing of Ankiel or Reed Johnson to a one year deal, there are some other interesting options available to the Mets that would provide a stop-gap in CF, and good depth.

Ken Rosenthal on twitter says that according to his source the Mets have contacted Jerry Hairston Jr. who would provide both depth at CF and SS. I like this idea. Hairston has speed and some power and his ability to play multiple positions makes him extremely useful even after Beltran returns. Hairston finished up the year last season with the Yankees and was a useful player for them, playing 3B and outfield. By the way, he can play 2B as well...

In another area of interest, it seems as though with the Diamondbacks aquisition of Adam LaRoche the D'backs will have to make room on the 40 man roster. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has tweeted that the team is leaning towards cutting ties with OF Eric Byrnes. Now, I have always been a huge fan of Byrnes, because of how hard he plays and the type of team first attitude he brings. Byrnes is the type of guy who puts his body on the line everyday on the field and he can hit for some power and run. Although he is getting older, the idea of bringing him in (should he get released) as a CF platoon-mate with Pagan, and then a depth outfielder, is an intriguing idea. Admittedly, I have a huge man-crush on Eric Byrnes, he just strikes me as a hard-nosed, no BS player. The type of player that automatically gives a team an edge, and gets their overall attitudes back on track.

Although, I still like the ideas of the Mets looking into adding Ankiel and Reed Johnson, especially Ankiel, Hairston and Byrnes may be more economic options. Either way, the Mets need to go out and add depth in the OF, with a player who could be a solid fill-in for at least the first month.