Mets' pursuit of top pitcher Framber Valdez hits a roadblock, forcing them to pivot and consider alternative rotation solutions.
The New York Mets are suddenly pressed against a wall after Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz departed in free agency.
Patience is running out from the fans, and whether or not they can land a big name remains to be seen.
But, David Stearns might be willing to spend, and the Mets have even been linked to players such as Kyle Tucker and even Alex Bregman to some degree.
O top of that, the Mets have been rumored to be an option for Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez.
Valdez is viewed as one of the top pitchers on the market, and teams such as the Baltimore Orioles are also in need of pitching help.
David Schoenfield of ESPN had some new predictions for the top free agents, and he basically ruled out the Mets for Valdez.
Here's why:
"Last offseason, Stearns tried the second-tier route to fix the rotation, signing Sean Manaea to a three-year, $75 million deal, Clay Holmes for three years and $38 million, and Frankie Montas for two years and $34 million. It didn't exactly work. Holmes was fine, but Manaea had a 5.64 ERA in 12 starts while Montas made just seven starts and the Mets released him after the season. Given that Mets starters ranked 27th in the majors, let's see if Stearns swims in deeper waters this time and signs the top starter out there, one who has averaged 192 innings the past four seasons. But does Stearns have the appetite to sign a pitcher for longer than three years? Reports seem to suggest the answer to that question is no -- and that a trade is more likely."
Schoenfield's prediction and landing spot for Valdez is the Chicago Cubs, and he predicts a 6-year, $168 million contract.
Mets Discussing Trades For Other Pitchers
With Valdez not seeming like a promising option, the good news is that the Mets have been inquiring on San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta, according to multiple sources.
Padres closer Mason Miller is also a name to watch, but that doesn't help the rotation unless they decide to convert him to a starter.
Getting a mid-tier pitcher such as Pivetta or Holmes, like they did a year ago, seems to be a more likely route for the Mets in order to fix the rotation issues, although landing a top arm such as Valdez would be a big boost.
But, it doesn't seem likely, at least not now.