The Mets are still in the market to improve their starting lineup, but prefer to bolster the rotation through a trade rather than free agency, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.
It is hardly a surprising revelation. We’re one month removed from the first report that the Mets were reluctant to sign a free agent to a long-term contract, and since then the Mets have shown no interest in long-term deals for existing stars such as. Edwin Diaz and especially Pete Alonso – both have signed elsewhere. The Mets also traded for the remaining five years Brandon Nimmo‘s contract three of Marcus Semien. There seems to be a real push to avoid closing long-term books with many large deals beyond long commitments Juan Soto again Francisco Lindor.
It’s also worth noting that the Mets are deep in both top prospects and minor leaguers who can be traded to other clubs. Their farm system is generally considered one of the top ten in the game. After this year’s draft and trade deadline, Baseball America ranked the Mets’ program ninth in the game. MLB.com ranked it seventh. BA lists five Mets prospects (Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, Jett Williams, Brandon Sproat) among the top 100 in the game. Young young players Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio again Luisangel Acuña all are available in trade negotiations as well, according to Rosenthal and Samson.
One of the most notable trade candidates on the market, the Miami righty Edward CabreraHe left yesterday when he was sold to the Cubs in a package of three players titled Owen Caissie. Presumably, the Mets would have to pay the highest price as a team rival, but taking Cabrera off the market reduces supply and creates more urgency among teams still looking for a reasonable rotation upgrade (eg Mets, Yankees, Orioles, D-backs, Padres).
The Mets have been linked to several potential trade targets this winter. They are said to have spoken with the Padres about it Nick Pivetta and the Brewers about Freddy Peralta. They were also among the Cabrera groups and had some interest in Minnesota Joe Ryan before the twins show that they don’t plan to get rid of him (or rotate Pablo Lopez). At least they have entered some prominent and under-the-radar names in the market alike.
The Mets went three years to sign Devin Williams in free agency, they got three years of Semien and (reportedly) weren’t willing to go beyond three years Pete Alonso. Their free agent is dealing with a midfielder Jorge Polanco and it’s okay Luke Weaver the longest period is only two years. There are no strong indications that they are completely against going beyond three years anywhere free agent, but that seems to be the comfort zone of a team with additions to the roster.
In fact, since he was appointed president of baseball operations, David Stearns has never committed more than three years to any free agent except for Soto, whose signature is more than an ownership-level move. Stearns’ biggest signing after Soto Sean Manaeahis three-year, $75MM deal that contains more than $23MM in deferred revenue. Currently, the Mets only have four players on guaranteed contracts through 2028 (Soto, Lindor, Williams, Semien). In 2029, Soto and Lindor are the only two players on the books.
If there is a reluctance to guarantee players anything through 2029 and beyond, as at least it appears to be the case, that will make it difficult to find any top free agent names left. Mets sat down with them Framber Valdez back in November, and Rosenthal and Samson indicated that there is still some interest there. Of course, signing Valdez would require a three-year – potentially five-year deal. Guard Suarezlike Valdez, figures to want at least a five-year contract in free agency. If the pitcher stays in February or March, he will probably focus on a short-term deal with the possibility of an exit. Beyond that, a matchup with the Mets seems difficult to see — at least based on the team’s recent trajectory under baseball’s current performance regime.
RosterResource currently projects the Mets at $294MM in payroll and just over $296MM in luxury tax obligations. That puts the Mets about $8MM short of the maximum penalty mark, which they have fallen into over the past four seasons. They currently owe 95% tax on any dollars spent with tax obligations totaling $304MM. From then on, they will be taxed at a rate of 110% on every dollar spent.
