MLB Free Agents 2012: 4 Players New York Mets Should Target

The New York Mets should be active participants in the free agent market this year.

While the club's financial woes will keep them out of the bidding wars for the top players such as Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols, some well-positioned pickups could make a dramatic improvement for next year.

So let's look at some middle-of-the-class free agents that might make sense for the Mets.

Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer's right-handed bat would be a perfect fit for the Mets at first base and right field. His presence would allow Ike Davis and Lucas Duda to take a rest against a left-handed pitcher or when they run into a slump, as young players will certainly do.

Furthermore, the lowering of the fence in left field would help Cuddyer maintain the 20-homer level he hit this year.

Matt Capps

The experiment to make Bobby Parnell the team's closer did not produce the desired results, so a closer will be needed. The Twins probably will not try hard to re-sign Matt Capps, so he might be the solution for the Mets.

This move is not without risks, but when you can't pay top dollar, you need to take some risks. In 2010, Capps did record 42 saves between two teams, so having a good 2012 for the Mets is not out of the question.

Mark Buehrle

At the end of the season, there certainly were signs that Mark Buehrle had pitched his last game for the Chicago White Sox. Switching to the National League and a large park like Citi Field might be just be the perfect fit for him at this point in his career.

Buehrle has certainly demonstrated the ability to be an innings-eater, and this is a high priority for the Mets.

C. J. Wilson

There will be quite a few teams vying for the services of starting pitcher C.J. Wilson, so this might not be a realistic target for the Mets. But what the heck, we can dream, can't we?