The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim recently picked up team options on John Lackey and Vladmir Guerrero. They declined to pick up the option on the longest tenured Angel, Garret Anderson, who could be an option for the New York Mets.
Anderson has played the last four seasons split between left field and designated hitter, so stamina could be an issue. The Mets would look for him to play 140 games or so at his position, probably using Endy Chavez as a late-game defensive replacement and occasional starter.
In the game since 1994, Anderson has put together a pretty good career. He has a career .296 batting average, and he hasn't strayed far from that the last few years. In 142 games in '05, he hit .283 and in 141 games in '06, he hit .280. After only playing in 108 games in '07, he hit .297. Last season he hit .293 in 145 games.
Yes, he's old, but of the other options (Juan Rivera, among others), I think Anderson would be a better bet. Due to his age and career, he should be expensive. A two-year contract would be nice, and it would keep hot-shot Fernando Martinez in the minor leagues so he can grow.
I know the Mets should get younger, but LF is a big, open hole, and Anderson could be a serviceable option.
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