Two offseasons ago, the Mets made a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Guardians that netted the blue and orange superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor. Two years later, the Mets are in a position to make a similar move, this time for some pitching help.
The blue and orange are entering this offseason with a couple of significant needs, but one of the more glaring ones is starting pitching.
At the trade deadline, the blue and orange traded away starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and currently only have two of their five rotation spots filled for 2024 by Kodai Senga and José Quintana.
With no prospect expected to fill the void in 2024, David Stearns and the company will likely have to turn elsewhere to find starting pitching.
The Mets could acquire Shane Bieber
One of the more intriguing options for the Mets would be to trade for Shane Bieber.
The California native dealt with an elbow issue in 2023 but was serviceable when available for the Guardians. Bieber pitched 128 innings across 21 starts to a 3.80 ERA with a 1.234 WHIP and struck out 107.
Bieber was much more impressive when he was fully healthy in 2022. The former Triple Crown winner pitched 200 innings across 31 starts to a 2.88 ERA with a 1.040 WHIP and struck out 198.
Bieber is undoubtedly an intriguing option for the blue and orange, and according to Jim Bowden of the Athletic, Stearns has made it clear that pitching is his top priority, and the Guardians ace could be a top target for the Mets. However, would trading for Bieber be the right move?
Should the Mets trade for Bieber?
Bieber is undoubtedly an intriguing option for the blue and orange; however, there are some concerns with the Mets acquiring the former Cy-Young winner.
The 28-year-old is under team control for one more season, which is likely why the Guardians are shopping him in the first place, so he is not guaranteed to stay in Queens after the 2024 season.
Acquiring the California native also feels like a win-now move, while the organization has stated that they view 2025 as the more likely year for World Series contention.
In addition, Bieber is coming off a season where he struggled and had an elbow issue, which is alarming for a pitcher rapidly approaching the wrong side of 30.
There is no doubt that Bieber is an excellent pitcher, but his health concerns, combined with no commitment to the team past 2024 alongside the massive prospect haul it would require for the Mets to acquire him, makes the California native a risky acquisition for Steve Cohen and company.