At this point, the All Star middle of the order power hitter is not obtainable at this point. But the Mets can bring in another player that can make their lineup better than it is right now. Face it, Kirk Nieuwenhuis (who would have averaged over 230 strikeouts if he played a full MLB season in 2012) and Mike Baxter have to show they are different kinds of players for them to be trusted to play every day, in my opinion. I do not mind Nieuwenhuis being part of a platoon, but think he would be better served spending the entire 2013 season in AAA where he can work on his problems striking out excessively. Baxter is a good pinch hitter and late game outfield replacement, perhaps in a double switch. I cannot see him playing every day. Though Collin Cowgill was a top prospect with the Arizona Diamondbacks a couple years ago, I don't know what to expect. The same can be said about minor leaguers Andrew Brown and Brandon Hicks.
The Cleveland Indians landed themselves Bourn. With the addition of Nick Swisher and Drew Stubbs, the Indians have an overcrowded OF. If I were the Mets, I'd inquire about Michael Brantley. The Indians starting CF of a year ago played in 149 games for the Tribe, hitting .288, 6, 60 with 37 2Bs and 12 stolen bases. At age 26, Brantley may cost the Mets more than it would to obtain, lets say, Stubbs. Stubbs is three years older than Brantley, and has stolen 30, 40 and 30 bases over the past three seasons. The problem with Stubbs is he strikes out at a worse pace than anybody in MLB. In 2012, he led the NL with 205 Ks leading off for the Reds. He does have some power and the Mets should be interested in him for the right price. I'd prefer Brantley, but at what cost? I would expect the Indians to want INF Wilmer Flores plus for Brantley, while Stubbs would not cost nearly as much. I would expect to see one of the two OFs moved before the regular season starts.
The Seattle Mariners have brought in, among others, Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez and Michael Morse, giving them a series of outfielders to trade if they wish. Franklin Gutierrez played just 40 games last season, but put up respectable offensive numbers in 2009 and 2010. He plays exceptional defense and the price may be low, considering he is coming off two injury plagued seasons. Michael Saunders, in my opinion, would cost slightly less than it would to get Brantley. A left hand hitting CF as well, Saunders has more power and strikes out a little more. He hit .247, 19, 51 in 139 games for Seattle while stealing 21 bases. All numbers that could be improved on with another season under his belt. Casper Wells would be a solid option for a team that does not know what the outfield will look like. Gutierrez, Saunders, Stubbs and Brantley would all become the Mets every day CF. Wells could play center, but does not have to. He also can be a platoon player with Nieuwenhuis if necessary.
My order of preference is the same as the order of what the Mets would have to give up the most talent for. I'd prefer Brantley, Saunders, Gutierrez, Stubbs or Wells, in that order. Even Wells gives the Mets more OF depth than they have right now.