The Mets have already been active in the starting pitching market this winter, adding Justin Verlander on a two-year, $86.6MM deal before bringing in Jose Quintana for two-years, $26MM. Yet they’re not stopping there, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post reporting that the team is telling agents at the Winter Meetings they plan to obtain a third starter this off-season. Sherman cites Japanese star Kodai Senga and Ross Stripling as two players the team is interested in, while also exploring other options on the trade and free agent market.
While the Mets have been linked to a number of starting pitchers this winter beyond the two they’ve signed, their reported interest in Stripling is new. He’s a free agent after a strong platform year in Toronto, where he tossed 134 1/3 innings of 3.01 ERA ball. He struck out batters at a below-average 20.7% clip, but limited the walks at an impressive 3.7% rate. He doesn’t throw the ball especially hard, mixing in a low-90s fastball with a slider and changeup, as well as a curveball on occasion.
While Stripling, 32, certainly showed enough to be offered starting roles, he’s spent much of his career with the Dodgers and Blue Jays in a hybrid role between the bullpen and rotation. Indeed, just this season Stripling was only pushed into a full-time starting role by the injury to Hyun Jin Ryu. He did average just five frames per outing, but he was thrust into a starting role from the bullpen and starters are going shorter nowadays anyway. Nonetheless, with a full pre-season to ramp up towards a starters workload, it’s certainly possible Stripling handles a bigger workload next year.
Senga would represent a higher upside, but also vastly more expensive option should the Mets go down that route. MLBTR predicted a two-year, $18MM deal for Stripling, whereas Senga was tabbed to get a five-year, $75MM contract. While owner Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to spend aggressively to build a contender, their recent moves have taken their luxury tax payroll to an estimated $306MM, and as a second-time offender they’ll pay a 90% tax on any salary over the $293MM mark. Put simply, signing someone like Stripling or Senga would, as things stand, mean the Mets have to pay almost double whatever annual salary is written on their contract.
One option would be to consider ways to lower their payroll, and Sherman does mention that the signing of a third starter could motivate the Mets to trade someone like Carlos Carrasco, who has one-year and $14MM remaining. While the idea of adding a pitching only to subtract another might appear counter-intuitive, the Mets would still be well positioned in their rotation with Verlander, Max Scherzer, Quintana, an external addition and probably David Peterson rounding out the five, with Joey Lucchesi, Tylor Megill and Elieser Hernandez providing depth.
They better not sign Stripling and think he’ll be our #3 pitcher, they need Senga, he’s a #3.
He’s never pitched an inning in the United States. He’s nothing until he proves himself. This Mets rotation is held together by scotch tape. Yes they have big names in Verlander and Scherzer but they’re 40, and eventually will slow down. Carrasco and Quintana aren’t inning eaters and they lost a ton of bridge relievers. They certainly need more.
@Milwaukee – I know your pain and suffering is real, however Verlander recently won the Cy Young. Yeah, he’s 40, but he’s had time off due to TJS and comes back to win everything. His mediocre year is still better than some team aces out there.
Now I will go with you on Senga, but on the reverse you have Ohtani, Darvish, Nomo…
As for Stripling, that’s something I cannot fathom. Mets are looking at the crop of FA pitchers over the next two years and it’s very appealing. My guess is they’re saving some money and flexibility to go shopping the next two off-seasons.
nah, this “he hasn’t proven he can pitch in the MLB” talk is overrated. Tons of npb guys come over here and succeeded! You obviously don’t follow senga, he will make the MLB bats look silly at times like Hideo Nomo did when he first came over. 100 mph fast ball , ghosting fork, and 10 year track records speak for itself. He will be a #2 on every team.
He’ll be a #2 on the Mets? Doubtful
Stripling is still a ok option. But Senga is better.
Carrasco is #3.
Carrasco can only be counted on as a 4 or 5 at this point. It is better to add a real #3 like Senga or Bassitt and if Carrasco pitches like a #3 he is doing so farther down in the rotation which is a plus for the Mets.
Weird statement. Saying Kenga is better than me, ok. Better than stripling? I certainly don’t know and doubt you do enough to make that sound like a fact and not a meaningless, and controversial opinion
Perhaps people mean has more upside? Stripling is hurt every single year it seems. Also Senga is 3 years younger so perhaps there’s more long term upside as well.
He is? How many times have you watched him pitch? Also how many ML’ers have you seen him face.
I’ve watched Stripling since he came to the Jays. Smart, took advice, made adjustments, developed amazing control and fantastic changeup, pitched his way into a nice free agency situation. He doesn’t blow anyone away, but batters have no idea what is coming next.
He pitched that way in LA already. That didn’t start in Toronto. He just got an opportunity to start consistently in Toronto.
The article didn’t say Stripling would be their #3, it said they wanted to add a 3rd starting pitcher
Meh. Fine but only at a very reasonable cost. See him more as a Lugo type that can start but probably is better in the pen. Senga or bust for me. Bassitt would be the only other starter I would want right now. Otherwise, use that money on the pen.
Basset’s contract would have to be crazy backloaded . If Walker got 76 Basset should get mid 90’s.
Totally agree but the everyone knows the Phillies ridiculously overpaid on Walker. Taillon took less money and I would bet a lot that he is the better pitcher over the four years. Perhaps he would do a 4 year deal. But I saw a report that Dodgers only offered 5/70 to Senga. That tells me the same $18M per could land him and with all that cash coming off the books over the next two and Quintana and Carrasco (plus Megill and Peterson) as insurance to pitch league average innings, why not?
Taillon took 68 and is 4 years older than Walker. The market is pretty high right now.
He is a better pitcher. You will see. Walker May get whiplash watching balls fly out of CBP
I like Taillon better too, but you’re comparing Diet Coke to Diet Pepsi. Also, when talking about pitchers of similar caliber, I’d take a 30 year for 4 years over a 34 year old for 4 years. These are #4 starters at best.
How dare you bad mouth Diet Coke like that. LOL. Good chats.
Likewise!
Von, with Scherzer and Verlander and Carrasco, sure everyone wants Rodon and Senga. Stripling is the perfect guy to add because he is a true swing man, much like what Trevor Williams gave then in 2022. Spot start for doubleheaders. Long relief that doesn’t necessarily have to be mop-up. Quintana will be the Number 5 man, and at least a lefty with experience. Peterson should be allowed to stay in the rotation for a while so he doesn’t have to feel like he has to do really well or be sent down. I am not sure what Megill brings yet, but getting him up to speed would be great for the Mets. Megill and Peterson at least don’t push the Mets over any spending threshold. Still think adding Ottavino back or David Robertson would make Buck feel more comfortable than adding another starting pitcher without accounting for the 6th, 7th and 8th innings. Brooks Raley was a nice add, so was this kid Zach Greene in the Rule 5, if he can translate his AAA numbers to MLB. Mets priority needs to be replacing Nimmo, even if it is with Nimmo himself.
I actually think Walker is the better pitcher, provided they are strict about limiting his vulnerabilities. Just using 2022 numbers: First time through the order: .588 OPS. Second and third time, it jumps to around .700, but the third time is when he starts giving up more HR (a HR every 35 ABs as opposed to one every ~45 the first two times through) with more walks and fewer K.
He’s also been much worse in the second half of the year the past few years. They should try something like keeping him on an innings/pitch limit of 5 or 6 innings/80-90 pitches to maybe keep him fresher for the second half.
Taillon was league-average (ERA+ of 100) the past two seasons, didn’t play in 2020, and was league-average in limited ability in 2019. Compared to Walker, who despite his second half struggles can put up better numbers (ERA+ of over 111 in four of his last five full seasons).
I am also surprised the Mets don”t make an offer to Corey Kluber and reunite another American League Central pitching combination from Cleveland Indian days of yore, with Carrasco.
After the huge overpay for Verlander, the Phillies 4 year deal for Walker is slotted nicely in both payroll and rotation. Bitterness lingers.
His second half troubles are overrated. In 21 he was pitching his first full season in years and had a bit of dead arm. Last year he had one terrible start against the Braves, outside of that he was good before and after.
Keep in mind he was a bit over worked. Due to injuries Walker was the Mets #2 at times. Phillies can get injured too of course, but barring that Walker is slotted safely at the #4 spot.
@VonPurple
Taillon and Walker are less than a year apart. Walker is 30, Taillon recently turned 31.
Oh weird. Why did I think he’s 34?? I apologize. I’m an idiot. Well Taillon is the better deal for sure. Now it’s even slightly more better than I initially thought. Haha,
You’re not an idiot. You’re human. Anyone can make mistakes.
Probably because degrom is, or bassitt is soon to be. Maybe you think white guys just look alike and are all middle aged. (about to be 35 white guy, I am just joking around)
@knolln Haha. That could be it!
So like make him a part time pitcher that taxes the bullpen every rare time he does start while avoiding the second half all for the low price of $72 million over 4 years? He is a fly ball pitcher that gave up 41 home runs in two years at Citi Field. He will give up 30 plus at CBP. I’m not seeing any advantage to what you say. Basically you are admitting he has serious flaws while failing to point out Taillon’s while claiming he is better. I’m very confused
Overpay? 2 years for a Cy Young pitcher vs 4 for a guy that can’t pitch after the All Star break? I knew Philly was lax on drugs but man, pass me whatever you are taking please.
They really aren’t. He got shell d in big moments and gives up long balls like Oprah giving out gifts to the crowd. You get a dinger and you get a dinger…. And that was at a pitcher park. He will get lit up in CPB. No one else was in on him. No. One. His fastball is straight and he has virtually no other pitch. And he lacks conditioning and the work ethic to fix it. You can’t win a division pre all star break. But you sure can lose one. I have a strong feeling his fly ball first approach will haunt him in a little league park. Cheers. It’s fun to disagree. I watched him the last three every start. Will not miss him at all and feel confident that Quintana, with all his flaws, is an upgrade over Walker
AND HAYES, has had TJ twice.
Bret Saberhagen is available I hear
Too young
I do not understand why they are not trying to bring Bassit back. I know he wants 4 years, but he was their best pitcher last year and has been solid over most of his career. Senga is a gamble that the Mets should not take. Get a proven number 3 starter.
Alvarez. He is likely to be the catcher and Bassitt is rough on catchers. With a pitch count coming I think he would be difficult. Dude couldn’t get on same page with defensive catchers Nido and McCann. I think that’s a big reason
Clock. Not count.
They might bring him back – they like him and he wants to return – but it’s the cost.
The prices for other starters this offseason mean Bassitt is going to go for a lot more than Senga and if they truly want to bring Nimmo back they need a less expensive (not cheap) option. Plus, Senga at 29 is something safer in terms of injuries due to age. Plus he can be a bridge to the next rotation. Every pitcher is something of a gamble because of potential injury and it is not like Senga is a #5 in Japan.
Well said
As a rangers fan, that contract is hard to say anything about the market based on…. he’s a unicorn, I thought it was up there, but they’re money whipping some folks we knew it/ know it. Wait til they start trading. Probably have more infielders on the top 100 list than positions, and the top 30 is the more impressive part of the system. Walker made me say the SP market is going to be wild. Then I thought tallion and heaney were incredibly reasonable. So… we wait and see
Lost a heck of a SP today… because the system is deep and long (heh) and 40 is a finite number
This has been one helluva winter meeting. And it ain’t over!
This would be a bad offseason for them if they sign Stripling as their 3. Not understanding these moves – go make a trade instead ffs
They do not want to give up prospect capital. It is also why they stayed away from Rondon because he will cost them picks and money ON TOP of the contract. Uncle Steve has said it several times. He wants to follow the model of the Dodgers. When the current ownership took over they loaded the team via FA while building up the minors. Now they are at the point where they can trade for the stars with a plethora of prospects or call them up to fill the holes and only sign FAs when they need to do so.
The Dodgers model won’t work as well in the NLE, but I do like the 3-year plan. I think the only awful decision of the Cohen-era has been McCann. Everything else has worked out so far. I like the additions this offseason as well.
Von;
Not just for you but for others….
The McCann contract was for 4 years and was given out in
December of 2020, before Mr. Cohen bought the franchise.
Umm Ruf? That was a horrible deal.
Bob, It didn’t work out, but they traded a player they couldn’t really use for him. It’s not like they lost a prospect or a ton of cash. They traded excess for nothing.
And Samuel, that’s my bad. I keep forgetting it was that long ago.
I’d take McCann back straight up for grandal. Then you’ll really know what a bad all-around catcher is.
@Samuel: Actually, the sale to Cohen closed in November 2020. McCann was one of the first players signed under his ownership.
Mets traded 4 players for Ruf. It was terrible at the time and even worse after Ruf stunk it up.
Absolutely horrible deal. But a small one that gave up the same caliber of player, albeit longer. If you’re gonna miss, a trade deadline deal that gave up JD Davis as a centerpiece is the way to miss. But 100 percent agree. Awful trade. I saw it that day but I m wrong plenty as well. As long as they aren’t making 5-10 year commitment mistakes or trading Kelenic for Cano (sure we got Diaz too but ugh), it’s ok to be wrong sometimes
Understood, but it doesn’t mean you make zero trades. They were willing to give up Ginn last year in the deal for Bassitt, and their farm is better now than then due to a good draft. Keep drafting well, and you can use some of the prospect capital for MLB talent in a win-now time. And the Dodgers traded plenty of prospects over the years, even during those formative years (and none have materialized into the caliber of player they were traded for, which says something too). I get the approach, but they can’t be so stubborn as to go too far in the other direction of relying solely on FA and draft.
They have a 300 million dollar payroll and a lot of holes to fill from last year. Not a great spot to be in going forward. I think both New York teams need the farms to start producing.
And they are chasing the national league champions.
Not chasing. The NL champs won 87 games and nearly missed the playoffs entirely. Fact they went 5-14 against a weaker rotation of the Mets and Harper is out at least until June. No one is chasing anyone until they are actually behind. Phillies are solid. Nola is an every other year Ace/3 and he just had his ace year. Suarez is not very good and Falter is worse. Walker? Good luck as I mentioned above. Glad you are excited for the over accomplishments of last year but to think that defense, mediocre starters and nothing bullpen are favorites is short sited. Have you looked at the Braves lineup? And the little amount of money they are paying for that production vs Philly? Do you see their rotation and bullpen? What part of Philly is better than Atlanta? Any aspect of the game. As a Mets fan it hurts to type all that but it’s honest. One more loss and Milwaukee takes that wild card over you. One.
Philly rotation was really solid in 2022 and has improved in 2023. For all your Walker bashing, he’s still an upgrade over Gibson or even Eflin. Wheeler, Nola, Suarez is a very good 1-3. Philly bullpen was also solid last year with Brogdon, Alvarado and Dominguez at the backend. The Mets are still very good, but their payroll is the highest in the MLB and I can’t even say they are better than the Phillies, Braves, Padres or Dodgers. That’s nuts.
Long Suffering Mets Fan;
You need to change your name.
Something is going on with the Mets as so many players want
out. I’ve been betting that it’s the ridiculous pressure from the
NYC media and their fans.
Nevertheless, Mr. Cohen and his FO take the punches, shake
them off, and come back in swinging.
Other than Degrom, the players love playing for Mets.
I second that. Who else wants out? Syndergaard? Lol. Thor became more of a Loki with his stupid childish jokes and 4.5 ERA. deGrom is a prima Donna who sulks. Amazing talent when he feels like playing. Fragile body and fragile mind. Verlander is an instant upgrade. Again, amazing talent but that constant resting B face and avoidance of his team is played out. Name another player that wants out. The entire team talks about how great the clubhouse is and gushes over having a real manager lead the team. That’s a clown comment bro.
I don’t necessarily agree with the narrative about players not liking playing for the Mets, but Wheeler, Syndergaard, Harvey, and Stroman all had comments after they left. Now some of that was against the old guard to be fair. I haven’t heard deGrom bad mouth the Mets in any way, but he was a bit upset at Eppler for soreading misinformation about his health.
I am surprised they hire Quintana he isnt really that good. at all.
And this is why I don’t see the logic in signing Verlander. Even if he still keeps pitching at a high level into his 40s (which is a gamble but not impossible), they still could have gotten two or even three solid starters instead and they needed a deep rotation more than they needed two guys with a ton of mileage on their arms at the top of the rotation.
I get that a few middle tier guys might produce someone you should start in a playoff series, but the $43 million a year they’re spending on Verlander would have covered the Quintana deal and probably been enough to add Rodon too.
No guarantee they could get Rondon nor did the Mets want to wait to find that out.
Furthermore, Rondon has injury history and would be long term investment. Verlander is proven ace, just won CY Young and is shorter deal, plus the best replacement for Degrom, a well proven ace.
They need to trade for Beiber if they want any chance at beating anyone, or possibly Lucas Giolito
Shane Bieber isn’t going anywhere
Seems like they ran out of money due to luxury tax. Wondering how they gonna win without offense. Mets pitching has been good for the last 5 years. Bullpen terrible, offense not too good.
Very important Mets sign Senga. Japanese market is huge therefore the investment will be worthy.
Let’s go Mets get him, Nimo back or Benintendi instead.
Offense is solid, just need to re-sign Nimmo/sign his replacement, and add another bat.
Scored enough runs to be top 5 last year and the end of the shift bodes very well for this offense. Nimmo is a table setter but can be replaced offensively. A full year of Baty and Alvarez as well as Vogelbach makes the team pretty sneaky good offensively. McNeil is the defending batting champ. Alonso is improving every year. Marte missed significant time. Lindor is settled in. This is no joke of a lineup but no, not in line with Philly or Atlanta. They don’t have to be if they add Senga and go to war with a better rotation than last year when they won 101 games
At the end of the day we definitely need another impact bat to protect Pete. If Escobar and Cahna perform well we’ll be fine. Main problem Atlanta is being beating us up for decades and Philly got way much better.
Ross is a licenced stock broker , financial advisor, fit well on Wall Street
With starters flying off the board with crazy contracts…. Stripling at 2/$18M as MLBTR predicted would be the steal of the off-season.
If Zach Efflin can get 3/40 he’s probably not far behind that.
Isn’t it nuts that this crazy pitcher’s market was essentially started by Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays???
Ross Stripling gets 18mil from the Mets….
Heck, I’d rather have Ron Darling…..
Could we interest them in Zach Plesac?
I wish the Jays would resign Stripling. He’s was really good for them very reliable
Stripling fits the Met’s philosophy better (more ancient the better) but seems on the youngish side for them at 33.