According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Scott Hairston is looking for a deal worth significantly more than the one-year, $1.1 million contract he signed with the Mets last season.
Olney points out that Jonny Gomes, 'a similar player,' signed a a two-year, $10 million deal from the Red Sox this winter.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
There are several teams interested in Hairston, from the Yankees to the Mets to the Cardinals to the Phillies and others. Those teams are also interested in Cody Ross. Both free-agent outfielders are seeking a three-year deal.
There is buzz in Boston suggesting the Sox may still try to sign Ross, in the event they can move Jacoby Ellsbury, but he's been a difficult player to trade this winter (because teams discounting him knowing he is one year away from free agency and Scott Boras is his agent). So, I wonder if this end of the outfield market is being held up by Boston a bit. The Red Sox have supposedly talked about a three-year deal with Ross, so he'll probably hold out until they're no longer an option' and, I assume Hairston is waiting on Ross.Of course, should another team (like the Phillies) decide to go to three years for either player, I'm sure they'll take it. I don't think that the team will be the Mets.
I just don't see Sandy Alderson going to three years for either of these guys, even though he has to know he's got to something soon in that outfield.
