Report: Mets seeking Conforto replacement, 3rd-base upgrade this winter

The New York Mets are fresh off a relatively transformative offseason, and a new front office might shake things up again this winter after a pedestrian 2021 campaign.

The team will seek third base and corner outfield upgrades this winter, sources told Pat Ragazzo of Inside the Mets. Star outfielder Michael Conforto is eligible for free agency this offseason, and it's widely believed he'll either depart or accept the one-year qualifying offer while the Mets seek his long-term replacement, Ragazzo adds.

Conforto, 28, is struggling during a down year, hitting .220/.341/.367 with eight homers through 83 games. From 2017 to 2020, the former All-Star hit .265/.369/.495.

Nick Castellanos and Tommy Pham lead the class of outfielders slated to become free agents this winter.

Meanwhile, the Mets have been pursuing a third-base upgrade for a while, notably pushing to acquire Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs prior to the trade deadline. Bryant, now with the San Francisco Giants, may hit the open market this offseason along with Eduardo Escobar and Kyle Seager.

Under new ownership this past offseason, the Mets added Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann, Taijuan Walker, and Trevor May, among others.