The New York Mets need to add pitching to their starting rotation as much as any team in the league. Starting pitching crippled the Mets last season, and as a result, they missed the postseason.
They were a solid fit for Dylan Cease, but he’s reportedly off the board after agreeing to a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mets need to dive into the pitching market before more top names come off the board.
Jackson Roberts of Fastball OnSi recently predicted the Mets would land star pitcher Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros on a massive five-year, $175 million deal this winter.
“However, Valdez has the most polished track record of anyone on the market, and that included Cease as well. He’s the only two-time All-Star still in his prime, the only former ace of a World Series champion under 40, and there are still a lot of very needy teams that could be desperate to pay him,” Roberts wrote. “Now that the Blue Jays have signed Cease, the No. 1 team combining starting pitching need and deep pockets is the New York Mets.”
The Mets need to add pitching, and Valdez might be the best pitcher left on the market.
Money isn’t an issue in Queens, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Mets give up however much money Valdez is asking for to land him.
The Astros likely won’t be a big contender in the Valdez sweepstakes, but the Mets should have some competition from other contending teams.
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