Mets looking for cheap alternatives in left field

The Mets have flirted with the idea of having either Jason Bay or Matt Holliday play left next year. The problem is the Mets do not want to shell big bucks at a outfielder because their other glaring needs at catcher, starter and reliever.

So the Mets will continue to cut the coupons and try and find outfielders with out big price tags. The Mets according to the NY Post have interest in Josh Willingham and Juan Rivera.

Rivera has two years at $9.5 million left on his contract, and has long been a player that Omar Minaya likes; in fact, Minaya obtained him from the Yankees when he was the Expos GM as part of a trade for Javier Vazquez.

Rivera hit .287 with 25 homers last year, and is being dangled because the Angels are considering signing Bay to play left field.

Willingham made $2.95 million last year and should more than double that for 2010 through the arbitration process. He hit .260 with 24 homers last year and is a free agent following the 2011 season.