ORLANDO — Are the Mets ready to venture into the choice meats section of the supermarket this offseason?
When the annual General Manager Meetings begin on Monday, the rest of the industry will be paying careful attention for signs the Mets, as advertised, are serious about spending money to add new players.
Two years ago, agent Scott Boras categorized the Mets as shopping in the “fruit and nuts” section of the supermarket. Then, last offseason, Boras promoted the Mets to the “freezer section.” Steak, anyone?
With as much as $40 million at his disposal toward new contracts for next year, general manager Sandy Alderson can certainly think in those terms.
According to a club source, Alderson — who won’t arrive until Monday night — has meetings arranged this week with several agents and clubs to discuss potential free-agent signings and trades.
Boras, who represents Jacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo and Scott Drew, among others, is expected to have Alderson’s ear at some point over the next few days.
Ellsbury is an extreme long shot for the Mets, but Choo could enter the equation — just certainly not at $100 million. A Mets official last week said the club has not discussed dollars with Boras regarding Choo.
The official was asked if Choo is a realistic possibility for the Mets outfield next season.
“It depends at what number,” the official said. “I can’t tell you for sure.”
Nevertheless, as the Mets attempt to upgrade an outfield with gaping holes, they will keep an eye on the market for the 31-year-old Choo, who batted .285 with 21 homers and 54 RBIs with an .885 OPS for the Reds last season.
Jhonny Peralta, Curtis Granderson, Nelson Cruz and Bronson Arroyo are among the other free agents that intrigue the Mets.
“Boras is trying to sell [Choo] hard,” said a person with knowledge of the agent’s discussions with teams. “I don’t think the industry sees Choo as [even] a $90 million player. He might come back to the area where he might be affordable to the Mets.”
But with teams such as the Yankees, Phillies and potentially the Red Sox searching for outfield help, the Mets have to be considered outsiders in the Choo sweepstakes.
“[Choo] in the right circumstances is the Mets’ main priority,” said a talent evaluator with connections to the club. “They need that type of offensive player. They need a couple of offensive players, not just one.
“Granderson is a high strikeout guy — not much of a fit. And Ellsbury, if you’re going to do that, you should have given the money to [Jose] Reyes.”
Peralta did not receive a qualifying offer from the Tigers and wouldn’t cost the Mets their second-round pick in next year’s draft if they signed him. The Mets’ first-round pick — at No. 10 overall — is protected.
Last offseason, the Mets — with little money to spend — waited until two weeks before the start of spring training to sign their first major-league free agent (Shaun Marcum). But the club later entered negotiations with Boras about outfielder Michael Bourn, who signed with the Indians.
