Mets Interested in Corey Hart

A report (a tweet, actually) Wednesday from Mike Puma of the New York Post says the Mets are among about a dozen teams showing interest in Corey Hart. This is a positive development for the team.

Hart could be the power hitter the Mets crave — he averaged close to 30 home runs between 2010 and 2012. He missed all of 2013, though, with surgery on both knees. This means his days as an outfielder are probably over, so Hart would play first base.

Hart has expressed a strong desire to remain in Milwaukee, where he has played his entire career. He said he would take a discount to stay there, so it is questionable how much of a chance the Mets, or any team, actually have to sign him.

But if Corey Hart does leave, Flushing would be a perfect place for him. He will likely sign a one-year deal to rebuild his value. He collected $10 million for not playing in 2013; coming off injury, his 2014 salary probably will not exceed $8 million, which is right in the Mets ballpark. He will turn 32 during Spring Training.

It also shows that despite Sandy Alderson’s statements, perhaps he is not content going into the season with the awful combination of Ike Davis/Lucas Duda/Josh Satin at first base. That is another good development.

By the way, Blogging Mets pegged Corey Hart as a possible outfield/first baseman option for the Mets in a post in October.