Mets are 'aggressive' in this free agency market

The New York Mets are showing serious interest in a specific segment of free agents.

Feb 20, 2025; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) looks on during spring training at Cecil B. Englebert Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Most New York Mets fans are still holding out hope that their front office will sign a frontline starting pitcher in free agency this offseason.

And there seems to be a decent chance David Stearns will execute a deal for one of the top five free agent starters (Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen, Michael King, and Framber Valdez) in the coming weeks. However, given that at least three of these five starters are seeking a long-term deal and the Mets are hesitant to offer such a deal, it might be more unlikely that one of these arms ends up in Queens by Opening Day.

The Mets could pivot to the trade market, or they could focus their search one level below the top starters and instead seek a more mid-tier addition to their rotation.

Dec 12, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; New York Mets general manager David Stearns speaks to the media during a Juan Soto introductory press conference at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jeff Passan Asserts Mets Are 'Aggressive' Pursuing Mid-Tier Starters

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan conveyed that New York is active in this mid-tier starter market by writing, "Among those who have been most aggressive in mid-tier pursuit, according to sources: the White Sox, Orioles, Angels, Nationals, Mets, Padres and Diamondbacks," in a December 18 article.

When addressing which pitchers he'd include in this tier, Passan wrote, "Chris Bassitt is the best of the bunch for teams seeking innings... and Lucas Giolito has the highest ceiling. Nick Martinez and Zack Littell are steady strike-throwers, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are quadragenarians with enough stuff and know-how to succeed, and Tyler Mahle and German Marqués [are] tantalizing to teams that dream on what they could get out of a full, healthy season.

Read more: Insider reveals major Mets roadblock in starting pitcher pursuit

"Walker Buehler remains a prime bounce-back candidate, Patrick Corbin a lefty who can pitch forever and Michael Lorenzen an ever-ready swingman," Passan added.

Free at ESPN: A mid-winter temperature check with notes on every impact player left in free agency and where trades stand. Details on who could move soon, which teams are aggressive, why the best players remain available and how the markets are unfolding: https://t.co/C9DxqKl1zA

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 18, 2025

While most of these names don't have the same appeal as guys like Tatsuya Imai and Framber Valdez do, there's no question that many of these mid-tier arms have a low-risk, high-reward appeal that could make them invaluable to the Mets.

Among the most compelling might be Chris Bassitt, who is coming off a regular season where he posted an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 170.1 innings pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays. He then transitioned to the bullpen for Toronto's playoff run, tallying a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched across 7 appearances.

That sort of versatility could be crucial for the Mets down the stretch. And many of these other mid-tier starters hold a similar appeal. It will be interesting to see whether the Mets' aggression manifests in them signing one or more of these arms in the future.

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