NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mets left last year’s winter games with two new starting pitchers and, a few weeks later, turned to Japan to sign a third.
This is a plan that could serve the organization well as it looks to replenish a rotation that was partially liquidated at the last trade deadline.
Luis Severino is already in place with a one-year contract worth $13 million.
Higher impact arms stay on the board.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is expected to collect more than $200 million to leave Japan, is not expected to start meeting with teams in person until next week.
The Mets (who are competing with the Yankees for the Japanese right-hander among others) will therefore probably have to concentrate elsewhere this week, with the winter meetings taking place Monday at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
Twelve months after the San Diego Mets left Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana before signing Kodai Senga, starting pitching is once again a focal point.
An Introduction to Winter Meetings:
Rotation
Yamamoto, 25, who was assigned to the Orix Buffaloes in November, is coveted among teams looking for a potential ace.
Blake Snell also falls into the “ace” category, but would the Mets be willing to give up a draft pick to sign last season’s NL Cy Young Award winner?
Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell delivers in the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Houston Astros. P.A.
A smart left-handed option for the Mets could be Jordan Montgomery, whose stock rose last season with the Cardinals and Rangers.
Montgomery was not eligible for the qualifying offer and would not cost the team signing him a draft pick.
The Mets have also been linked to Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga, who is expected to be assigned this week.
Imanaga is expected to get a contract larger than the five-year, $75 million deal Senga received last winter.
If the Mets add a Japanese pitcher, they will likely implement a six-man rotation to provide extra rest.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) celebrates defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the World Series in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
That would leave the team in need of several starters behind Senga, Quintana and Severino (who has spent much of the last two seasons battling injuries), although the Mets plan to leave rotation depth such as Tylor Megill , Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi fight. to camp for a rotation spot.
Third base
Are the Mets willing to bet that a combination of Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio will be enough?
Joey Wendle signed a one-year contract worth $2 million last week, but the veteran infielder is likely to fill Luis Guillorme’s role as a backup at multiple positions.
Justin Turner remains available as someone who can provide right-handed pop and play every position on the field with DH as an option.
Willy Adames is entering his walk year with the Brewers — who new president of baseball operations David Stearns is extremely familiar with after his tenure in the team’s front office — and could be available in a trade.
Willy Adames singles in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. Getty Images
Baty was a disappointment last season, but is still only 24 years old.
Mauricio is a pure athlete who must find position with the shortstop blocked by Francisco Lindor. Mauricio’s chances of playing third base were limited.
Outfield
A reliable bat could be a necessity given the uncertainty surrounding Starling Marte, who missed the final two months of the season with a groin soreness.
Is Marte still a full-time aerialist?
A part-time DH?
A possibility of exchange?
The Mets still owe Marte $39 million over the next two seasons, but could swallow some of that if it helps them get the player they want without giving up too much of the minor league system.
Tommy Pham (28) reacts after hitting a double in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Jorge Soler and Teoscar Hernández are powerful right-handed sticks on the market, which could make sense.
Tommy Pham is also available after leaving the Mets at the trade deadline and helping the Diamondbacks to the World Series.
Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is expected to post soon and could be a good fit for the Mets.
Bullpen
Imagine the Mets signing Josh Hader and pairing him with Edwin Diaz to give the team an absolutely electric backcourt out of the bullpen.
But Hader rejected a qualifying offer and falls into the free agent class that would cost the Mets a draft pick.
David Robertson is another name to watch.
The veteran reliever was solid last season with the Mets after Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during an on-field celebration at the World Baseball Classic.
The Mets, under former general manager Billy Eppler, seemed intrigued by the idea of bringing back Robertson this offseason — he was dealt to the Marlins at the trade deadline — but Stearns might have other ideas.
Other intriguing names on the board include Aroldis Chapman, Matt Moore and Hector Neris.
2023-12-04 03:33:41
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