According to multiple reports, the Mets may be in the market for a center fielder, either to take over full time or platoon with Juan Lagares against right-handed pitchers.
ESPN.com’s Keith Law believes free-agent center fielder Austin Jackson is worth a three-year deal, as does CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. However, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors sees Jackson getting only a one-year deal, while MLB Network Radio’s Jim Bowden expects him to land a two-year, $20 million contract.
Law says Jackson is capable of hitting 45-50 extra base hits, which, with plus defense in center, make him a 2.5- to 3-win player.
Jackson, 29, played mostly center field, hit .267 with a .311 OBP, nine home runs, 25 doubles and 17 stolen bases last season, which was his sixth year in the big leagues.
Is Jackson a fit for the Mets?
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No. He hasn’t had an average season with the bat since 2013. His nine home runs in 2015 were an improvement over his four from last year, but his days of 10+ triples a year are done and his power going forward is a big question mark. His walk rate has declined consistently as his strikeout rate has climbed, which is a big red flag.
His defense rated as plus in center his first couple of seasons, but going back to 2012, he’s been roughly average. A a whole package, he probably represents a marginal upgrade over Lagares, but it doesn’t make sense to have two right-handed hitting centerfielders on the same team and the cost to get Jackson could be better spent elsewhere.
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