MLB Insider Explains What Mets Are 'Reluctant' to Do With Starting Pitcher Contracts
Even though starting pitching is the biggest need for the New York Mets this offseason, they are unlikely to act overaggressively in pursuit of a free agents.
Per The Athletic's Will Sammon, the Mets are "reluctant" to give out a long-term offer to any of the available starters this offseason.
There was no exact reason given for why the Mets feel this way, other than it has been their modus operandi since David Stearns took over as president of baseball operations in October 2023.
The longest contract the Mets have given to a starting pitcher under Stearns' watch is three years to both Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes last offseason.
Holmes, a converted reliever, was fine in his first season as a full-time starter with a 3.53 ERA in 33 appearances (31 starts) in 2025. Manaea, who was so crucial to their playoff run in 2024, was a mess with a career-worst 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances last season.
Sammon did note it's not a hard-and-fast rule that the Mets won't hand out long-term deals to starters. For instance, their offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the winter of 2023 was reportedly identical to the 12-year, $325 million deal he accepted from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This does suggest, though, that the Mets only intend to go really hard for a pitcher with true frontline talent. There are certainly quality arms available this winter, like Framber Valdez, Michael King, Tatsuya Imai and Ranger Suárez.
Sammon added Valdez, Imai and Suárez "hold some appeal" to the Mets, but likely on a short-term contract.
The Mets could also pivot to the trade market to address that area on their roster. Tarik Skubal would clearly be the biggest possible move any team could make, but it's unclear how serious the Detroit Tigers will be about dealing the two-time AL Cy Young winner.
MacKenzie Gore is a popular name in trade rumors right now, but do the Washington Nationals want to trade him within their division? Even though the Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly talked about adding to their roster, they are also open to hearing trade proposals for Mitch Keller.
It would be a surprise if the Mets come out of this offseason without at least one new pitcher in their rotation, but their conservative approach in terms of years might mean they have to settle for someone who is currently under the radar.
