MLB Rumors: Mets to Meet With Red Sox FA Nick Pivetta After Juan Soto Contract

After snagging the biggest name in free agency by signing outfielder Juan Soto, the New York Mets could next focus on building their rotation.

The Mets are slated to meet with Nick Pivetta's representatives on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Pivetta recorded a 4.14 ERA in 27 appearances (26 starts) and 145.2 innings pitched for the Boston Red Sox last season.

He struck out 172 batters, allowing 128 hits and 36 walks through 145.2 innings on the mound. His strikeout rate ranked in the 88th percentile of the MLB, per Baseball Savant.

The Mets are seeking to bolster a rotation that could lose both Luis Severino and Sean Manaea to free agency this winter.

Severino recently signed a two-year, $67 million deal with a player option for 2027 with the Oakland Athletics. Manaea also received an offer from the A's, per MLB insider Jon Heyman.

The Mets, meanwhile, have been making moves of their own in the offseason pitching market.

The club was named a favorite to acquire Garret Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, although he ultimately went to the Red Sox, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The team has also been tied to free-agent pitcher Walker Buehler.

The Mets have also submitted a pitch for Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

How far the club gets in the Sasaki bidding war is up to the pitcher. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said on Tuesday that the club would now wait to see if Sasaki reaches out after seeing their pitch, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Sasaki's salary for next season will be subject to international bonus pool restrictions. That makes him a good match for a team that has "been reluctant to commit significant dollars to any single starting pitcher," as noted by DiComo.

DiComo reported that this hesitancy meant it was "always unlikely" that the Mets would sign a star free agent like Max Fried or Corbin Burnes.

But that doesn't mean the Mets don't plan to build their rotation this offseason. According to DiComo, the franchise is "hyper-motivated to add more pitching."

The Mets would face a draft penalty if they sign Pivetta, who declined a qualifying offer by the Red Sox. Given that the club is "willing to part with their top prospects if necessary" to build to their rotation, per DiComo, it's easy to imagine the club might be willing to give up the compensatory pick if they believe Pivetta is a good fit in Queens.