The Mets again appear to have interest in left-hander Gio Gonzalez, Kevin Kernan of the New York Post writes. The Mets are “keeping a close eye on” Gonzalez’s situation, as the southpaw opted out of his minor league contract with the Yankees yesterday, creating a 48-hour window for the Yankees to either add Gonzalez to their 25-man roster or release him.
This isn’t the first time that Gonzalez has been on the Mets’ radar screen, as the Amazins considered signing the veteran hurler in the offseason. Though the Mets and a few other teams were linked to Gonzalez in rumors, the Yankees were “pretty much” the only team to come through with an actual offer, as Gonzalez said last month. That offer was a non-guaranteed deal that would have paid the left-hander $3MM if he had reached the Yankees’ 25-man roster. Despite Luis Severino’s injury, the Yankees seemingly haven’t seen the need to utilize Gonzalez in their pitching staff, and thus it seems as though Gonzalez will hit the open market once more.
As much as the free agent market has been increasingly hostile to veteran players, it was still surprising that Gonzalez wasn’t able to land a Major League contract over the winter. While his peripheral numbers indicated some decline in 2018, the 33-year-old has still been a durable and effective mid-rotation starter for the last nine seasons. Since the start of the 2010 campaign, Gonzalez has posted a 3.49 ERA, 2.37 K/BB rate, and 8.6 K/9 over 1681 1/3 innings for the A’s, Nationals, and Brewers.
Now that the season has begun, however, Gonzalez may have a better shot at a guaranteed deal since teams suffering from early-season pitching woes may be more amenable to such a contract. In the Mets’ case, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday (Twitter link) that New York is more likely to sign Gonzalez than either Dallas Keuchel or Craig Kimbrel because Gonzalez’s price tag would still be considerably lower than those other two available hurlers. Plus, signing Gonzalez wouldn’t cost the Mets a draft pick, unlike the qualifying offer-rejecting Keuchel and Kimbrel.
Mets starting pitchers have combined for a 5.56 ERA this season, sixth-highest of any team in baseball. Jason Vargas and his 9.58 ERA is the most glaring weak link, though Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard have also struggled, and Steven Matz’s promising early results were stained by a nightmarish outing on Tuesday (six earned runs without a batter retired).
Sign Jon Niese
Stud
Jon Niese “the nose”.
didn’t Beltran pay for neise to have his schnoz fixed
Yes
Middle relief for the Padres
Sign him ffs
Would be a nice pick up. Definitely an upgrade over Vargas. Let see if the Mets pony up. They need some depth
Send Vargas to the bullpen.
Easy signing. Vargas? Please. He’ll be better than Matz too.
Gio was very good as recently as 2017, and he finished well last year after being dealt to the Brewers. Unless he priced himself out of a deal this offseason, I’ve not understood why there hasn’t been more interest in him. He’s no stud but he’s been consistent and reliable.
Mets should do it. Vargas is horrendous.
Probably would have been beneficial to mention his 6.00 ERA through 15 innings in 3 AAA starts so far this season.
Probably would have been beneficial for you to give a bit more context.
First start: 4 IP; 8 runs; 3 BB; 1 K
Last 2 starts: 11 IP; 2 runs; 2 BB; 18 K
Mets always love the Yankees’ hand-me-downs.
And the Yankees love Mets hand-me-downs. Strawberry, Golden, Cone, etc.
And the Yankees love Mets hand-me-downs. Strawberry, Gooden, Cone, etc.
darn auto-correct
Except the Yankees always reap the benefits of the Mets hand me downs.
Those 3 won 8 WS rings with yankees, lol
A’s better be watching too.
The Mets signing Gio is potentially a 3 win move just because then they don’t have to face him.
So then wv, when Wagon Wheel comes up empty and Gio signs with the Brewers it’s a 3 loss move, right?
Brodie is busy looking for a 5th 3rd baseman to put on the roster, hes not concerned about starters.
Just 1 loss because the Brewers are out of division. If the Phillies or Braves grab him, LOLMETS.
Gio back to the Brewers
Keep an eye on him? What until he signs elsewhere?
Seems foolhardy by the Yanks. They should just stick him in the rotation. How long you think German can keep this up?
Agreed.
German has good velo. Mixes his pitches pretty well and is young. I think he’s underrated. He walks too many guys and that can get him in trouble but for a back of the rotation arm I don’t see anything wrong with him. He’s never going to be Severino but he doesn’t need to be. I’d be more worried about the guy they gave 36MM dollars to.
Can the Yankees trade him during the 48 hour window?
No, but they can put him on the roster then trade him.
He technically doesn’t have a contract as of today.
Giants!
No, but they can put him on the roster then trade him.
He technically doesn’t have a contract as of today.
Is there a point in the season where a team would no longer have to give up a draft pick to sign Kimbrel or Keuchel? Kind of like how in the NFL, post-June 1 signings no longer figure into the compensatory pick formula? I’m guessing once the draft is over in June, a team wouldn’t have to give up a 2020 pick to sign them, right?