The New York Mets could potentially have moving parts pertaining to nearly all of their starting rotation this offseason.
Aside from Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, and Trevor Williams are all free agents. Carlos Carrasco could possibly join them if his team option is not exercised.
Luckily, when it comes to rounding out their rotation, the Mets have young arms in David Peterson and Tylor Megill, who could be ready to fill in as the fifth starter in 2023.
The key will be maintaining an elite level of dominance at the top of the staff. Should the Mets lose deGrom, they immediately take a big hit. Aside from Carlos Rodon, who will have a competitive market, the stud pitchers with some youth on the market are not really there.
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Could the Mets look to Justin Verlander?
While paying top-dollar for another pitcher nearing 40 is less than ideal, for the Mets to take a step in the postseason next year, it may be their only option.
Justin Verlander showed in this recent World Series how dominant he can still be. Despite the fact that he does turn 40 in late February, Verlander can be a true difference-maker the Mets need atop their rotation with Scherzer.
Verlander is coming off of a tremendous 2022 in which he had an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA, the best in baseball by a wide margin.
He had two shaky postseason starts. On the other hand, his other two starts were still impressive. In each of his good outings, Verlander only allowed a run in both games, a combined seven hits, and totaled 17 strikeouts.
Ultimately, it is best that after deGrom and Rodon, the Mets’ next option to pursue should be Verlander. While his age is less than ideal, his production is certainly not. The Mets are in win-now mode entering this offseason, and as a result, Verlander should be in their free-agent plans.