Market update on Pete Alonso, and Roki Sasaki met the Mets
The Mets are still in search of premiere starting pitching for next season as they wait out this expensive marketplace
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets recently met with Japanese star Rōki Sasaki (SNY)
Teams are reportedly hesitant to give Pete Alonso a long-term deal, given his profile as a right-handed first baseman (SNY)
RHP Reed Garrett believes the team is ready for the higher expectations that come with the Juan Soto signing (New York Post)
SS Francisco Lindor made a surprise appearance at a Play Ball event that hosted a baseball clinic for children (MLB.com)
Todd Zeile played Santa at the Mets annual Kids Holiday Party
Rumor Mill 💨
Josh Naylor’s name came up in trade talks between the Guardians and Mariners (MLB Network)
Free agent Michael Lorenzen is pitching himself as a two-way player to teams interested in signing him (The Athletic)
Jurickson Profar is looking for a three-year deal in free agency (ESPN)
The Astros are signaling they’re not interested in trading Framber Valdez (ESPN)
The Mets have added a lot of depth, but they still need a top starter to their rotation ✍️
Last season, David Stearns did a great job finding diamonds in the rough that Jeremy Hefner was then able to turn into quality starters. Both Luis Severino and Sean Manaea were far from sure things, but they ended up carrying the rotation in Kodai Senga’s absence, pretty much all the way to Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
This year, Stearns is going for a repeat performance. So far, anyway.
He has signed Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning, and Clay Holmes so far this offseason. While these are all intriguing options with upside, the Mets are still in need of pitching, including top-of-the-line pitching for their rotation.
Senga is more than capable of pitching like an ace, but after missing most of last season with injury, it might take him some time to recapture his form from his rookie season, if he can at all, and of course, his ability to stay healthy will remain in question until he actually does. The others could break out like Severino and Manaea did in 2024, but Stearns has more pressure on him this year after the team just missed the World Series last season.
Can the team hope they strike lightning in a bottle again with so many pitchers?
I would say no. Eventually, a team’s luck runs out no matter how good they are at being fixers. Sure, they may hit on one or two, but they can’t bank on it all working out.
In the end, talent is talent. And don’t forget - the Mets will be employing a six-man rotation for most of the 2025 season, as David Stearns said during the winter meetings.
Stearns has done a great job raising the floor when it comes to pitching, and between his and the front office’s eye for talent, plus their pitching lab and coaching staff, they’ve been able to do a lot with what seems like very little. But the ceiling remains about the same. They could use two more starters on the level of Manaea or above, such as Walker Buehler or Luis Castillo, and of course, Rōki Sasaki.
They can still bring back Manaea and then look to upgrade either through free agency or via trade. They have been linked to Castillo, but the cost to trade for him will be steep. Sasaki is another option, and it is a good sign that the team met with him, but there is no guarantee he comes to Queens as he is being sought after by most of the 30 clubs.
Sasaki, of course, is the best fit out of all of them since he would only cost international bonus pool money, is 23 and would be under team control for six years, and is already a high-end major league talent. But, get online.
The issue for the Mets and many other teams - which presumably is why the starting pitching markets are moving slowly - is the price tag. For the Mets specifically, it isn’t about the dollar amounts as much as it’s about the years, and Max Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees, Yusei Kikuchi’s three-year, $63 million deal with the Angels, and Severino’s three-year, $67 million deal with the A’s only raises the price for arms and balloons the costs of the mid-tier market into the high-end market.
For instance, we originally believed Manaea might be in the market for a 3-4 year contract at around $22-24 million. Now, he might be looking at least four years and the $25-26 million range. Most people might not feel great about signing him to that kind of deal.
Then of course is the bullpen, which needs 2-3 pieces as well.
After signing Juan Soto, the Mets are signaling that they are going for it, which means they need to build the best team possible to finally bring a championship back to the organization. Stearns now just needs to find those final pieces to fill out the pitching staff and build a team that rivals the top teams in the league.
Around the League 🚩
The Phillies reportedly signed OF Max Kepler to a one-year deal worth $10 million (MLB.com)
The A’s signed INF Gio Urshela to a one-year deal with the A’s (MLB.com)
The Nationals and former-Brave RHP Mike Soroka agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract (official)
After releasing an apology for using steroids, Sammy Sosa was welcomed back to the Cubs organization by owner Tom Ricketts (Press Release)
Fingers crossed for Roki but it’s a long shot. I’d like to sign Manaea and then maybe trade for someone. I feel like Stearns wants to make a trade. Probably someone we haven’t thought of. I trust the FO
It wouldn't shock me to see Sean come back at five years and $25 million per. Maybe there would be an option in there after two years to make everyone feel comfortable.
The big question would be whether it's a team, player or mutual option. If I had to guess, I'd say that's the actual sticking point they're haggling over rather than years or money.
He's still the best option, though. Buehler has great stuff and he's been terrific when he's healthy, but he's been hurt a lot. Flaherty is inconsistent and got rocked in the postseason; he's not a top-end guy. Sasaki would be great, but as you point out, get in line on that one.
So, there isn't anyone out there I'd be dying to sign, and even fewer I'd want to make a deal for. Framber Valdez, maybe, but apparently he's off the board. Luis Castillo is solid, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and his ERA is slowly creeping back up. He's not worth the prospects.
We also have to remember, we still have Butto, an improved Megill and a veteran arm in Paul Blackburn in addition to the projects. Bring back Manaea and we're actually in really good shape.