Reliever Trevor May, as the first newcomer to the Mets this off-season, has been given a full overview of the team’s transformation.
And he hopes new owner Steve Cohen isn’t ready yet, with the option of signing George Springer. The 31-year-old Springer remains the best free-agent outfielder on the market and would provide the Mets with a right-handed bat and improved defense in midfield.
“I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and hope it happens,” May told The Post on Thursday. “I think that would be – I don’t even want to call it icing on the cake because I don’t know if they would even be ready at that point – but [Springer] would be phenomenal. I can’t imagine what the buzz in the world of the Mets would be with the fans, I can’t even beat my head around it. “
The Twins’ centerfielder when May was with Minnesota was Byron Buxton, who provided the Gold Glove caliber defense.
“One of my all-time favorite players,” said May. So if you can get that kind of defense, which Springer sure has and I don’t think we can say enough about his hitting and how big the threat is, he’s in the box too. Having a truly dynamic midfielder is great for a team as well [Springer] is one of the best out there. “
So far in this off-season, the Mets have added right-handed May to a two-year deal worth $ 15.5 million and James McCann to a four-year deal worth $ 40.6 million. Last week, the Mets completed a blockbuster deal that brought Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland. The rotation was also boosted in November when Marcus Stroman accepted the Mets’ $ 18.9 million qualifying offer.
May knows Lindor and Carrasco from the fight against them in the AL Central. He expects both players to upgrade the Mets’ talent level and clubhouse.
“[Lindor] is a leader, he’s a winner, ”said May. “He was on the team that went to the World Series [in 2016], and then maybe teams that weren’t that talented who found a way to win and he plays a big part in that.
Cookie is the same way. He was there for the not-so-good Cleveland Indians teams then developed into a rock in that rotation and the word around the league is that they are two of the best guys out there, so it just gets really great. “
With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report for spring practice on February 17, May said he is not too concerned that the pandemic will disrupt the season.
“Making adjustments is easier now than it was last year, so the things I would be concerned about don’t really matter,” May said. “I spent so much brain energy last year getting excited about things that I no longer have in me, I just want to play baseball. I’ll let the excitement of being part of this team ignore that for now. “
May’s focus until spring practice begins will be the Fan Controlled Football League, in which he recently co-owned the Zappers, one of the league’s four teams – with former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel as the quarterback.
The league, which will debut with games streamed on Twitch on February 13, bills itself as the first professional sports league where fans have control, including deciding whether to play in real time via a mobile app. Fans have already selected logos and color schemes for the team.
“A lot of things will just be decided by the fans,” said May. “Those people, they are in five fantasy football leagues and they love rooting every man on every team for whatever reason, because they are on their teams and they wish they had more control over their goals, now have. they control that. “