According to this Tweet, Peter Gammons thinks free-agent OF Rick Ankiel is a perfect fit for the Mets, who are rumored to be seeking a veteran, left-handed hitter for the bench.

Ankiel, 32, batted .239 with a .296 on-base percentage in 389 at-bats, while earning $1.5 million for the Nationals in 2011.

In early November, a team insider told Andy Martino of the Daily News that Ankiel could be a short-term solution in center field for the Mets – in the event they traded Angel Pagan.

---

Brian Erni: If Ankiel came at the right price, I’d add him based solely on his outfield arm. If the Mets expect this roster to be competitive, they’re going to need to get outstanding defense for the entire roster. Ankiel is capable of providing that, whether it be in a spot start or as a late inning defensive replacement. Ultimately, I think the Mets will need to make a determination on what kind of upside they want from that spot. If it’s a 5th outfielder who can be leaned on for his versatility, I think Ankiel is a solid gamble. If the Mets are more concerned with penciling in a pure power bat, they may want to stick with in-house option Adam Loewen.

---

Matthew Cerrone: From what I know, the Mets have talked on and off with Scott Boras about Ankiel going back to early December.

Look, Rick is most certainly not an every-day player … that’s for sure. Also, he’s crazy inconsistent and strikes out a ton. He’s also been pretty banged up over his career. So, if the Mets are in a situation where he is called on to play every-day, well, it’s not going to be pretty – and I bet they’d sooner start Loewen or call up a minor-leaguer. However, Brian is right, Ankiel has a terrific arm; he plays solid defense at all three spots; it reads like he was pretty popular in the clubhouse; he can provide a bit of left-side power off the bench; and he’s capable of growing this type of mustache; only three of which are impressive.

• Search for:

• MetsBlog Fan Confidence Rating

  

• Old Posts

  Select Month May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003