After going overboard on elite MLB free agents in their 30s, the New York Mets have gained important insight over the past two seasons. Although it has significantly improved the Mets’ spending strategy, it might also have unsatisfactory outcomes this winter.
Shohei Ohtani always gave teams on the West Coast priority, so New York was never really in the running for the title. Rather, the Mets have focused most of their attention on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a right-handed pitcher from Japan.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats 2023: 1.16 ERA, 176-28 K-BB, 0.86 WHIP, 6.3 H/9 in 171 innings pitched
At twenty-five years old, Yamamoto is among the top pitchers in baseball outside of Japan. In addition to leading the Pacific League in wins and strikeouts the last three seasons, he has thrown a no-hitter in each of the last two seasons. As the most sought-after starting pitcher available in MLB free agency, Yamamoto won the Japanese Triple Crown three times in a row.
In the race for Yamamoto, the Mets have faced off against some of the richest teams in baseball. The teams most interested in the Japanese superstar are New York, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox, and the San Francisco Giants. The teams in New York appear to be in the lead, but the Mets risk losing out if they don’t sign Yamamoto.
The Athletic’s Will Sammon claims that the Mets are essentially in a “Yamamoto-or-bust” situation. Owner Steve Cohen will reportedly wait to make a big financial commitment for at least another year if the Yankees or another team sign the heralded ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s career statistics are as follows: 967.2 innings pitched, 1.72 ERA, 4.56 SO/BB, 6.2 H/9, 0.3 HR/9, and 986 strikeouts.
There won’t be a switch to NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell or any other free agent All-Star pitcher. According to reports, even one of the riskiest pitchers available, Lucas Giolotio, could be too costly for the Mets’ desired payroll range.
The Mets will continue to play and make purchases because they have holes in their roster, especially in the pitching staff. However, those who are aware of the club’s thinking anticipate that they will keep giving out occasional one- or two-year contracts.
Rather, New York would start appointing players to short-term contracts and reduce its risk-taking with experienced free agents. The Mets would not have a good chance of winning in 2024, but they would have the payroll flexibility to try to sign Juan Soto the following winter.