New York Mets: 10 Centerfielders they should have on their radar

2.  Ramon Laureano (24), A’s

This is an outside the box option because it’s going to be hard to pry a budding young star (i.e. under team control through 2025) away from Athletics GM Billy Beane. Compared to Oakland, the New York Mets have financial resources. Acquiring Ramon Laureano will include taking on payroll from Oakland, most likely 35-year-old relief pitcher Joakim Soria ($8M).

Beane is notorious for squeezing every penny from the other side in trades. The Amazins will have to part with a top pitching prospect, position prospect, and most likely Brandon Nimmo, not to mention, the all-important cash aspect. The price could be worth it because Laureno is a potential star for the Mets for years to come.

Currently, he’s a four-and-a-half tool player. Laureno can hit for average, hit for power, run, throw (scouts consider his arm as elite), and is growing into a good defensive centerfielder. In 2018, he put up a .288/.340/.521/.860 slash line with 29 doubles, 24 home runs, and 67 RBI. Laureno has the ability roam center at CitiField for the next 10 years.

It’s not all sunshine and roses. There are questions about Laureano’s long term viability as a hitter. Mostly because he doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard. He was 74th last year among players with 300 or more batted balls, in exit velocity at 89.5 mph.

Even with the knocks on him, Brodie Van Wagenen has to put on the full press to get Laureano from Oakland.