Billy Eppler meets the media and don't forget about David Peterson
The Mets GM holds a mini state of the union ahead of the winter meetings while a former first round pick looks to really make his mark
What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets believe Jacob deGrom wants to return to the club, and they are concerned he might leave and be elite elsewhere (New York Post)
The Mets are prioritizing their pitching staff on the external markets at the moment (New York Post)
Mets GM Billy Eppler told reporters on Thursday deGrom’s situation is running in parallel to other pursuits as they look to upgrade their rotation and bullpen
Edwin Diaz’s preference was to remain with the Mets and in New York, and he said they begun negotiating his new contract when the World Series started
The Mariners sent the Mets their final $3.75 million payment towards Robinson Cano’s contract which expires at the conclusion of 2023
Often overlooked David Peterson is primed to become a critical part of the 2023 Mets ✍🏻
Two of the 2023 New York Mets top three starting pitchers are not currently on their roster.
That sounds dramatic but it’s true.
We know Max Scherzer will be back. Carlos Carrasco is going to be in the back of the rotation again.
After that? Things are very much to be determined.
We know the Mets would desperately like to retain Jacob deGrom to pair with Scherzer for what in theory can and should be a dynamic 1-2 punch. And they’d also reportedly like to bring Chris Bassitt back who just delivered a strong season in his first year in Queens.
In the event one or both of the right-hander’s departs, the Mets have been linked to every available upper echelon starter to offset their loss. They’ve reportedly met with all of Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and Carlos Rodón, and have also shown interest in Jameson Taillon.
Perhaps they’ve met with more as well.
But an incumbent pitcher who will probably be and deservedly be in the 2023 rotation - regardless of who is brought back and who is added - that nobody is really talking nearly enough about is lefty David Peterson.
New York’s first round pick from the 2017 draft debuted during the pandemic shortened ‘20 campaign and was impressive, but struggled to a 5.54 ERA in 15 outings the following season. Injuries allowed him to start 19 games for this team in 2022—and appear in nine more as a reliever—and he quietly rebounded in a big way.
In a career high 105.2 innings Peterson worked to a 3.83 ERA, held opponents to a .236 batting average, and punched out 126 hitters.
The University of Oregon product is exceptionally hard on himself and wears his emotions on his sleeves, but rubbing shoulders with an incredibly accomplished pitching staff definitely seemed to work wonders for him. At least in theory the idea would appear to be having he and Tylor Megill compete for one rotation spot in spring training, but it should be Peterson’s job to lose.
Peterson does have work to if he is to be a sustainable piece of a big league starting rotation. The consistency, crispness, and overall quality of his strikes need to improve. But again, he has proven worthy of the opportunity to do that and if he can, he could serve as the quality left-handed pitcher the Mets need in their rotation.
It would be an uplifting story if the Mets and deGrom agree to a new long term contract to keep the team’s ace in a New York uniform for the duration of his career. It wouls be an exciting signing if the Mets are able to retain Bassitt or if they replace him with another high profile hurler. But let’s not totally overlook what’s going on in the back of the rotation, where Peterson very well may become a durable and dependable starter for this team every fifth day.
Hot Stove 🔥
Hall of Famer and 300-game winner Gaylord Perry passed away at the age of 84
Zach Efflin and the Rays have agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract (ESPN, New York Post)
The Red Sox and Rangers are pursuing OF Mitch Haniger (MLB Network)
A strong market is developing for RHP Jameson Taillon (MLB.com)
The Tigers are bringing LHP Matt Boyd back on a one-year, $10 million contract (ESPN)
The Nationals added longtime A’s infielder Franklin Barreto on a minor league contract (Heyman)