The most pressing issue for the Mets going into this offseason is starting pitching. With only two starters penciled in for next season, Kodai Senga and David Peterson, the Mets will be in the market for starters. However what type of starters will the Mets target? Will they go after a front-of-the-line type starter? Will they target more mid-rotation type guys? Or will they go after a reclamation project like they did this past offseason? Here are three starters that are realistic options for the Mets.
Corbin Burnes
Corbin Burnes is unquestionably the best starter available this offseason. He’s coming off a season where he pitched to a 2.92 ERA over 194.1 innings with 181 strikeouts to 48 walks, a 1.096 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 128. He also had an impressive showing in his only postseason outing, going eight innings, and giving up one run on five hits. If his performance wasn’t enough, Burnes had spent seven seasons in the Brewers organization with current Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.
The one thing the Mets were missing last season was an ace. Although the Mets got good performances from their starters, they’re missing that frontline starter. Guys like Senga and Sean Manaea are good starters; however, they serve more as a two-or-three in the rotation. Burnes would solve that issue for the Mets. He would be the Opening Day starter and start in a winner-take-all game. The only thing preventing the Mets from going all-in is the qualifying offer attached and losing a pick.
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi has long been one of the more underrated pitchers in the game. Over 170.2 innings this season, he pitched to a 3.80 ERA, with 166 strikeouts to 42 walks, a 1.107 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 104. Eovaldi also has experience pitching in New York. He was a Yankee back in 2015-16. They’re always fears that a player won’t be able to play in New York. That the external pressure would be too much on them and their struggle. That fear isn’t there because Eovaldi has already done it.
Now does Eovaldi become the ace, no. That would still be a problem the Mets will have to solve even if they bring in Eovaldi. However, he’d be a very solid mid-rotation pitcher. He’d be the type of pitcher you can give the ball to and know he’ll give you five to six innings. A manager’s dream. With that type of outing every five days, it’s a life safer to your bullpen. It’s an easy way to get bullpen arms a day off and not overuse them.
Walker Buehler
At one point, Walker Buehler was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He was the ace of the Dodgers staff, and with the same name as a popular movie character a marketing team dream. However, after missing the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. As well as a portion of 2024 due to a hip injury. All these injuries caused him to struggle and lose the reputation of one of the best. In 2024, he pitched 75.1 innings, with a 5.38 ERA, 64 strikeouts to 28 walks, a 1.553 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 72.
Buehler would be a low-risk high-reward option. He’s someone they can bring in relatively cheap and hope he can return to his 2021 forum. A strategy David Stearns is known for doing. He did last offseason when he brought in Manaea and Luis Severino. With the success of Manaea and Severino, plus all the investment the Mets have made in their pitching lab and coaches. Walker might see the Mets as the best opportunity to get his career back on track.
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