The New York Mets are still looking to add a frontline starting pitcher but have been linked to these two former All-Stars.
The New York Mets are still looking to add starting pitching and had hopes of finding an ace, but that is easier said than done.
The Mets were in on Detroit Tigers left-hander and back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but trade talks went nowhere for any team that had interest. The Tigers will opt to keep him for now, and the Mets still haven’t found what they are looking for.
Left-hander Framber Valdez, the former Houston Astro and two-time All-Star, is the best pitcher that’s still available in free agency and the Mets are one of two likely landing spots currently (Baltimore Orioles). Valdez would act as that frontline pitcher the franchise is looking for, but if President of Baseball Operations David Stearns can’t land the groundball specialist, the team must pivot like they did with Bo Bichette.
The Mets missed out on star outfielder Kyle Tucker when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which prompted the organization to sign Bichette instead. A similar scenario could happen if Baltimore or a different team signs Valdez in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately, if Valdez doesn’t sign with the Mets and they have to pivot to a different starting pitcher on the market, the options aren’t as good. That doesn’t mean the only quality arm available is Valdez, but he’s the obvious first choice.
Two veteran right-handers have been linked to both the Mets and Orioles in the case that the other lands Valdez. Former All-Stars Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito are emerging as solid backup plans and one of them has already pitched in a Mets uniform.
“It would make sense to assume that pitching-needy teams such as the Orioles and Mets could also be interested in these veteran hurlers,” MLB.com wrote.
Bassitt had a great season with the Mets in 2022, going 15-9 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 30 starts (181.2 innings). His track record shows durability and consistency, qualities that any team should be looking for in a starter. Bassitt could be the leader and mentor that the young Mets pitching staff needs.
Giolito had a phenomenal bounce-back season with the Boston Red Sox after missing all of 2024 and having a rough 2023 campaign. In 2023, he gave up 41 home runs, the worst mark in Major League Baseball that season. Giolito went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 26 starts (145 innings) last year and reinvented himself as a solid pitcher.
If the Mets don’t get Valdez and must pivot to Bassitt or Giolito and not both, my money is on Bassitt getting a one-year deal to help guide the youngsters through a full season in the big leagues.