Mets ‘decided’ to land Justin Verlander or Carlos Rodon?

After the Mets noticed Jacob deGrom go away for Texas and signal a five-year, $185M cope with the Rangers, it appears sure they’ll transfer rapidly to seek out different methods to improve their rotation. As Andy Martino of SNY reports, the subsequent finest pitcher out there, Justin Verlander is now “entrance and heart” for the group, and the group is “decided to land” both Verlander or Carlos Rodon.

The lack of deGrom is unquestionably a tricky capsule to swallow for the Mets, however after seeing the contract he obtained from Texas, the chance to herald Verlander on a shorter deal might effectively enchantment to proprietor Steve Cohen and co. Whereas Verlander is older, and can play the 2023 season at 40, he’s coming off a dominant Cy Younger-winning season which noticed him hurl 175 innings of 1.75 ERA ball, putting out 220 batters within the course of.

A possible signing of Verlander would possible come at the next annual wage than the $37M deGrom obtained, however solely over a two or three 12 months deal, and it does look like that’s their most well-liked possibility for older pitchers. As Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported, their supply to deGrom was round three-years, $120M. Pivoting to Verlander on a shorter time period deal would give them a bit extra payroll flexibility over the long run whereas sustaining the 1-2 punch on the prime of the rotation with Max Scherzer that the Mets covet.

Whereas the Mets have proven their monetary muscle in recent times, there are different groups concerned about Verlander (such because the Yankees and Dodgers) so it’s no assure that they land him. In that case, it appears their subsequent possibility can be lefty Carlos Rodon. He’s a free agent after a powerful platform 12 months in San Francisco, the place he tossed 178 innings of two.88 ERA ball with 237 strikeouts.

Rodon’s quite a bit youthful than Verlander (he turns 30 in every week) so would possible be a long term contract. MLBTR predicted he’d land a five-year, $140M contract, which might give him an AAV of $28M. Whereas it appears Rodon is their second option to Verlander, they’re very a lot in on him and met with him on Zoom earlier this week.

Whereas a frontline starter to pair with Scherzer seems to be the highest precedence for the Mets, Will Sammon of The Athletic provides that they’re seeking to additionally add a starter from the mid-tier of choices as effectively. Martino cites Andrew Heaney, Taijuan Walker, Kyle Gibson, Ross Stripling and Jose Quintana as the principle choices for the group in that class. Jon Heyman of the New York Publish provides that they’ve been speaking with Jameson Taillon as effectively.

Zach Eflin’s three-year, $40M cope with the Rays got here in a single 12 months and $18M greater than MLBTR’s prediction, and does counsel that the marketplace for mid-tier beginning pitching may very well be fairly profitable this 12 months.

The Mets presently have Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Elieser Hernandez penciled into the rotation. The addition of both Rodon or Verlander plus a strong, mid-tier possibility would give them a formidable rotation, and permit them to shift two of Megill, Peterson and Hernandez into depth/long-relief roles.