The New York Mets have some rotation depth. After ace Jacob deGrom, they have Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, Jordan Yamamoto, Joey Lucchesi, and Jerad Eickhoff, not to mention Noah Syndergaard when he is deemed healthy enough to pitch in the major leagues.
Yet, they are interested in adding another arm after narrowly missing out on Trevor Bauer. According to recent reports, not only are they in on former Orioles, Cubs, and Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta, but it appears that the two sides are actively negotiating a deal.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, “discussions continue with Mets and Jake Arrieta. No indication deal is close. Some interest in James Paxton, too.”
The Mets know that, after failing to sign Bauer, center fielder George Springer, and catcher JT Realmuto, they have some funds to bring another reinforcement or two before the season starts.
The Mets are intrigued by Arrieta and Paxton
However, they don’t have enormous pressure to do so, since most of the roster is set. Arrieta pitched in front of scouts in late January, and reportedly looked good in the process, which would help him secure a better contract since he hasn’t been exactly successful in the majors in the last two years.
Last season, he had a 5.08 ERA and a 4.66 FIP in 44.1 innings. At times, it looked like he didn’t have much left in the tank. However, the New York Mets want to bring him on a cheap deal and see if they can get at least some average production from him as a depth piece.
Paxton would have a much higher upside than Arrieta at this stage of their careers, but he is also more expensive and a significantly higher injury risk, having missed time last year with a left flexor strain and showing diminished velocity on his fastball at some point in the campaign.