One middle to backend of the rotation option the New York Mets can sign this offseason is former Yankees starter, Jameson Taillon.
With both Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker free agents at the moment, the middle to the backend of the Mets rotation is currently filled with unknowns. It makes someone like a Taillon a more than viable option for the Mets to pursue this free agency.
Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets have recently been in touch with Taillon early on in the free agency process.
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Why Jameson Taillon makes sense for the Mets:
Taillon just recently turned 31 years old. He offers the youth and potentially the best years of his MLB career ahead.
He is coming off of a great season in terms of wins, with 14, to five losses. Those 14 wins tied his career-best from 2018 when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 2022 ERA of 3.91 was decent. He also happened to have a serviceable 2021 with the Yankees posting an 8-6 record and a 4.30 ERA.
Taillon has thrown over 140 innings each of the last two seasons, with 177.1 in 2022. He started at least 29 games each year. Taillon also happens to have some quality experience under his belt. In his six seasons in the major leagues, he has 143 career starts, with 25 or more in four years.
Taillon is a quality right-handed starter with a recent pedigree that can keep the Mets’ rotation on the backend strong. Taillon is likely set to sign a multi-year contract this free agency.
Should the type of deal he commands on the open market be similar to Taijuan Walker, it will be fascinating to see what the Mets do.
Either way, the two are both solid pitchers the Mets can pay a three or four-year contract to. Following the recent report from Rosenthal, it will be interesting to see if the Mets’ interest in Taillon heats up.