The Mets are “just about done with their offseason,” according to SNY’s Andy Martino, who adds that the club has about $10 million left to spend on transactions this winter. Although the club could acquire another piece for its offense, Martino reports that the Mets are more focused on bulking up their bullpen and will do so “soon.”
However, the best relief pitcher on the market, Josh Hader, is not likely to end up in Queens, MLB Network insider Joel Sherman wrote in the New York Post (subscription required). Instead, Sherman mentioned three potential targets: left-handers Wandy Peralta and Brent Suter and right-hander John Brebbia. Peralta had a 2.83 ERA over 63 appearances last year with the Yankees, while Suter posted a 3.38 mark across 57 appearances (two starts) with the Rockies. Brebbia had a 3.99 ERA with the Giants in 2023, and he has a 3.42 career ERA over six seasons with St. Louis and San Francisco.
The Mets have already signed three relievers to Major League deals this winter: right-handers Jorge López, Austin Adams, and Michael Tonkin. Plus, the club will welcome back closer Edwin Díaz, who missed the entire 2023 season with a right knee injury.
Jan. 8: Mets ‘actively trying’ to trade for starting pitching (source)
With Sean Manaea in tow, per source, the Mets’ starting rotation options now include Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Luis Severino, Tylor Megill, Adrian Houser, Joey Lucchesi and Manaea (plus David Peterson when he returns from injury).
Although that collection could be good enough for the Mets to contend in 2024, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that New York isn’t done trying to address its rotation.
Although there are some top-tier free agents left in the starting pitching market — notably Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery — Feinsand writes that the Mets aren’t believed to be in the mix for either player due to their respective price tags. Instead, the club is looking toward the trade market.
A source told Feinsand that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is “actively trying to trade for more starting pitching.” It’s not clear if the desired target is an impact starter or more rotation depth. However, MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported Friday in an article for the New York Post that the Mets were considering a trade for White Sox righty Dylan Cease.
The Mets may be more interested in free-agent starting pitchers next offseason when aces such as Zack Wheeler, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Walker Buehler are set to become available.
Jan. 5: Mets considering trade for Cease (report)
The Mets are interested in a handful of free agents to fill out their starting rotation, but they could make a big addition via the trade market. MLB Network insider Joel Sherman writes in the New York Post that the Mets are “continuing to check in” on White Sox ace Dylan Cease.
The White Sox are said to want “three premium prospects” in return for the 28-year-old hurler. However, Sherman writes that the Mets would consider meeting that high price for Cease because he has two years of club control remaining. Conversely, the other top starters on the trade market — Corbin Burnes and Shane Bieber — will be free agents following the 2024 season.
Sherman adds that if any team is considered the favorite to acquire Cease, it’s the Orioles, not the Mets. On Thursday, Ken Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic (subscription required) that the O’s and Yankees are among the teams expressing “sincere” interest in Cease. Sherman includes the Dodgers among his possible suitors, and MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi has mentioned the Mariners as another potential landing spot for Cease.
Dec.15: Are the Mets pursuing a reunion with Turner?
Could the Mets and veteran infielder Justin Turner be a match this offseason? According to a report in the New York Post, the club is actively engaged with Turner on a potential reunion.
Turner, who played for the Mets from 2010-13, could be a good fit in Queens because of his defensive versatility on the infield. And with the club’s fourth-ranked prospect, Ronny Mauricio, injured with a torn ACL, there’s a particular need at third base.
Turner was a below-average hitter during his first stint with the Mets, and New York did not tender him a contract following the 2013 season. He signed with the Dodgers and reworked his swing, leading to a career revival — from 2014-22, he posted a .866 OPS with 156 home runs for Los Angeles, etching his name in franchise history with 13 postseason homers over that span.
In his age-38 campaign last season, Turner remained productive, joining the Red Sox and posting a .800 OPS with 23 home runs and 96 RBIs.
