While the Yankees have essentially stepped out of the picture in regards to free-agent outfielder Scott Hairston, the New York Mets may be willing to up their offer to the veteran, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN:

While speculation is that teams, including the Yankees and Mets, would like to hold the line on a contract for Hairston at one year, there is a belief the Mets could go to two years in order to re-sign the outfielder.

The 32-year-old Hairston has made it known from the get-go that he is looking for a multi-year deal from a team that will give him a starting role. The Mets -- his incumbent club -- may be able to offer him both of those things, but they will have to pony up more than the $1.1 million they paid him last season.

The right-handed hitting Hairston has always been more of a platoon player than an everyday guy -- boasting an OPS nearly 100 points higher against southpaws than righties in his career -- so the Mets' best bet may be to have him split time with lefty slugger Lucas Duda or Mike Baxter.

Hairston batted .263/.299/.504 with a career-high 20 home runs overall in 2012, but batted a much better .286/.317/.550 with 11 home runs against left-handers.