All-Star Starter Linked To Mets As Option If They Miss Out On Yoshinobu Yamamoto

It sounds like one former All-Star could end up being an option this offseason for the Mets

The New York Mets are in an interesting spot.

New York needs to improve its starting rotation and is among the clubs that are heavily pursuing young ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The 25-year-old is expected to make his decision in the coming weeks and New York realistically could land him.

The Mets have the most money to spend and are willing to spend it on him. If they do miss out on Yamamoto, though, it sounds like they aren't planning to spend big elsewhere. New York still will need to fix the rotation, but it sounds like it won't pursue expensive starters like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery.

It's unclear what they will do, but former Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians hurler Lucas Giolito could be an option, although even he could be too expensive, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon.

"So, if the Mets miss out on Yamamoto, they are not expected to simply pivot to the next-best available free-agent pitcher whether that be Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery," Sammon said. "Somewhere in the next tier, Lucas Giolito would be of interest to the club in theory, but he also may end up commanding a deal beyond the Mets' preferred range.

"To find matches with the club's line of thinking, keep looking lower. The Mets' roster -- particularly the pitching staff -- features holes, so they will remain active and spend money."

Giolito won't command as much money as Snell, Montgomery, or Yamamoto, but he does have plenty of upside. He is a one-time All-Star but earned Cy Young Award votes each season from 2019 to 2021. 

He may not have the upside of Yamamoto, but if the Mets are looking to improve the rotation's floor, Giolito could be a fit.