Mets Reportedly Looking To Make Multiple Splashes In Pitching Market
The New York Mets' biggest area of need during the offseason will continue to be pitching. With a lack of depth in the starting rotation, the Mets will need to make multiple moves to land starters.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, David Stearns is making starting pitching a priority.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that we’re probably a little short on pitching at the moment, and so that will be a priority this offseason," Stearns said.
Of those available, the top free agent for the Mets is Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto was the best arm in the NPB and has a chance to be one of the best arms in Major League Baseball. He had a 1.21 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 164 innings for the Orix Buffaloes last season.
He'll be one of many targets as the market for frontline pitching is loaded this offseason. The Mets will attempt to land multiple impact hurlers.
“We’re going to need eight to 10 [starters] over the course of a season,” Stearns said. “You don’t need to know exactly who those eight to 10 are on Opening Day, but you do need to have options to give yourself and look at your depth and say, ‘OK, I can see where we’re going to get that eight to 10 from this group.’”
As currently constructed, the Mets only have two guaranteed rotation spots in Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana.
With plenty of starting pitching on the market, the Mets will need to add another four to five arms. That could include the likes of Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito, and others.
It's uncertain if the Mets will go for another top-of-the-line starter if they were to land Yamamoto. If they do, they could be going after an Aaron Nola, Blake Snell, or Sonny Gray.
