The regular season is done (and so are the Mets & Yanks), so it is officially "Hot Stove" season in New York. This is our daily open thread to discuss the many possibilities in the Mets' first off-season headed by a President Of Baseball Operations (POBO). There are many intriguing story lines and rumors already spinning around in the media, so this is your opportunity to weigh in with your thoughts.
Today's topic: Spotrac.com lists 2024 free agents and provides an estimated market value for each. The top four of the 2024 FA class are all pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Aaron Nola, Julio Urias, and Blake Snell. Should the Mets consider going after any of them?
Nola would be interesting, as it would subtract from the Phillies’ rotation strength.
ReplyDeleteDepends if they sign Yamamoto or not
ReplyDeleteNo if they do. Go th second level starters like Jordan Montgomery
Yes if they lose Moto. Any would do but I would like Nola first and Snell second
Nola is an interesting target. He has long had the reputation of an "ace" because he was at the top of the Philadelphia rotation. Yet his career stats don't scream ace - lifetime 3.72 ERA with two of his last three seasons well over 4. What he does bring is the reputation as an innings eater. He has pitched more than 180 innings in his last five seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 year). That is good for the bullpen, but is it worth Spotrac's estimated $24.5M AAV for a guy that has a lot of mileage (1742 IP) and is now in his 30's?
ReplyDeleteJust how valuable are starters now? Starters go 6 innings or less. Bullpen games in the post season are frequent. Most starters aren’t expected to face a lineup the third time. Even Aces don’t make it out of the 7th inning.
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