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The winter before the 2021 season was a whirlwind for the Mets with a new deep-pocketed owner in Steve Cohen intent on quickly reinvigorating the franchise.

First was a trade that brought Francisco Lindor from Cleveland. Andrés Giménez and Amed Rosario were the two promising young infielders sacrificed in the deal.

But the Mets still needed a splash in free agency, aiming toward an upgrade in center field after president of baseball operations Sandy Alderson had decided there would be too much risk in chasing J.T. Realmuto to bolster the catcher spot.

The Mets targeted George Springer, and had every reason to b

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