Mets reportedly renew talks with Julio Teheran, seek starting pitching help

New York aims to add rotation reinforcements following 0-3 start to 2024 season

Mar 11, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Julio Teheran (49) looks on during the / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets are reportedly open to adding to the starting rotation following a three-game sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field to open the regular season this past weekend.

The Mets are seeking external options when it comes to starting pitching, including renewing talks with current free agent pitcher Julio Teheran, who the organization was reportedly in negotiations with earlier this year, according to Andy Martino of SNY.

https://twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1774861852947705993

Teheran signed a minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on February 28, 2024. The two-time National League All-Star – 2014 and 2016 with the Atlanta Braves – exercised an opt-clause in his contract on March 23 after the Orioles decided not to have him on the Opening Day roster. He finished 1-1 with 10 strikeouts, seven walks and a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings pitched (five appearances, four starts) with Baltimore during spring training.

The 33-year old appeared in 14 games (11 starts) last year for the Brewers, finishing with a 3-5 record, 50 strikeouts, 13 walks and 4.40 ERA in 71.2 innings pitched. The last time Teheran pitched a heavy Major League workload was with the Braves in 2019.

Prior to Teheran’s stint with the Brewers in 2023, he only appeared in 11 games across two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels (2020) and Detroit Tigers (2021) because of a right shoulder injury. He pitched in multiple independent leagues in 2022.

With ace Kodai Senga expected to be out until at least May with a right shoulder injury, the Mets entered 2024 with a thin rotation which includes: Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Tyler Megill and Sean Manaea. Unsurprisingly, Mets fans are interested in the prospects of potentially signing Trevor Bauer, who also remains an unrestricted free agent.

New York starts 0-3 for the first time since 2005. It was the sixth time in franchise history the Mets dropped their opening three games.