Yamamoto sweepstakes heating up, and other free agents that can help

Official bids for Yoshinobu Yamamoto are expected to begin early this week. Plus, other free agents that can help the Mets this offseason.

What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• The Mets officially acquired RHP Yohan Ramirez from the White Sox in exchange for cash considerations

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Rumor Mill 💨

• Official bids are expected to begin for free agent RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto early this week (Passan)

• Phillies OF Bryce Harper reportedly joined the club’s pitch to Yamamoto via Facetime last week (Morosi)

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Non-Yamamoto free agents that could help the Mets ✍️

The entire Mets offseason has revolved around the availability of Japanese free agent RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto but regardless of if the club acquires him or not, there is still plenty of work to be done.

We felt like now was as good a time as any to take a look at some of the lesser-profile free agents that could make a positive difference for the club this offseason…

Joc Pederson
2023: .235/.348/.416, 15 HR, 51 RBI, 111 OPS+

At this point, the left-hander is a best-used as a platoon option in the outfield but still can have a valuable role for a contending team. While he historically struggles vs lefties, especially this past season, Pederson had a .786 OPS with 14 home runs and 48 RBI against right-handed pitchers in the 2023 season over 373 plate appearances.

Justin Turner
2023: .276/.345/.455, 23 HR, 96 RBI, 114 OPS+

We wrote about him in a recent newsletter, but Justin Turner remains a strong veteran option for this Mets club. The 39-year-old right-handed hitter famously played for the club early in his career before his Dodgers renaissance, so it would certainly be poetic for his time in the major leagues to wind down here.

Despite his age Turner was still largely productive for the Red Sox last season, posting an .800 OPS with 23 home runs over 146 games. Turner was also lethal against left-handed pitchers, something the Mets have struggled with mightily over the last several season, with a .900 OPS against southpaws in 2023. The former Met was already a fit for this team at third and DH, but could be even more useful following the ACL injury to Ronny Mauricio.

Liam Hendriks
2023: 5.40 ERA, 1 save

This one is more of a lottery ticket, but Liam Hendricks remains an interesting option for this team. Last season was remarkably difficult for the veteran right-hander, as he missed a majority of the season recovering from stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and then pitched just 5.1 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he has a long track record of success in this league.

Prior to 2023, Hendriks had pitched to a 2.26 ERA with 114 saves and a 188 ERA+ over his four previous season with the A’s and White Sox. The 34-year-old reliever is expected to be ready for his big league return by the trade deadline this upcoming season.

Jorge Soler
2023: .250/.341/.512, 36 HR, 75 RBI, 128 OPS+

It’s most likely because he spent his season with the Miami Marlins, but outfielder Jorge Soler remains one of the more under-discussed free agent bats on the market. While he’s had an incredibly up-and-down career, the righty undoubtedly brings a ton of power and a lot of potential to any team that shows interest. This past season with Miami was one of his most consistent as Soler posted an .853 OPS (the third highest of his career) and had an emphatic 1.080 OPS against left-handed pitchers.

The Mets could sorely use a power-hitter who bashes lefties so well in a lineup that struggled to do so this past season.

Mike Clevinger
2023: 3.77 ERA, 118 ERA+

Regardless of if they signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Mets could still use another starting pitcher this offseason. Clevinger could prove to be an under-the-radar fit for the club.

After the Padres acquired him for a steep price a row off seasons ago, Clevinger has largely been out of the spotlight due to health issues. But in 24 starts with the White Sox last year, the veteran righty was a very solid option in the rotation.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• The Giants reportedly signed C Tom Murphy to a two-year, $8 million contract with a third year option (Passan)

• The Pirates signed LHP Martín Pérez to a one-year, $8 million contract (Fansided)

• The Twins, Mariners and Cubs have shown interest in free agent 1B Rhys Hoskins (Morosi)