New York Mets Make Late Push for Free Agent SP Randy Wolf

SI’s Jon Heyman tweets that the New York Mets are making a “strong push” for free-agent starter Randy Wolf.  Day One of the Winter Meetings ended with all sign indicating that the Milwaukee Brewers were, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported, "on [the] verge" of signing Wolf to a three-year deal.  Today, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirms the durable veteran left-hander is still very much in play. 

Several sources report that the Mets, Brewers, and around a half dozen other teams are in hot pursuit to sign Wolf.  ESPN's Jayson Stark speculated, via Twitter, that the Brewers bid more than three year and $28 million.

After failing to sign Wolf last offseason, the Mets again find themselves in need of starting pitching.  Last season the lefty signed a one-year $5million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Mets inked the erratic Oliver Perez to $36 million for the three years.  

In 2009, Wolf won 11 games with a 3.23 ERA and 1.101 WHIP, while striking out 160 in 214.1 innings.

The Mets have acknowledged their need for a No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana, however at age 33, the Mets are reluctant to offer Wolf more than a two year deal.

In related rumor millings, the New York has also been linked to Milwaukee in rumors of a swap RHP John Maine for RF Corey Hart.  With the addition of former Met pitching coach Rick Peterson to the Brewers staff, some speculate that Maine may be a good fit for the Brew Crew.

Heyman muses that if the Mets land Wolf they could have more flexibility to trade Maine.