Ex-Mets Hurler Opting For Free Agency After Stellar Year; New York Should Consider Reunion

Should the Mets consider a reunion with a longtime New York hurler this offseason?

The New York Mets will need to do a lot of work this offseason.

After winning just 75 games in 2023, there are plenty of holes to fill on the roster. New York may not be contenders in 2024, but the club still will be active in free agency as the team looks to get back to the postseason. 

One of the biggest holes the Mets have on the roster currently is in the starting rotation after trading away Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The Mets have been linked to big-name players like Orix Buffaloes star Yoshinobu Yamamoto but the club also should pursue some depth options. One player who could be an interesting target is Seth Lugo as he reportedly will be opting for free agency, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. 

"Ex-Met Seth Lugo will opt out of his deal with $7.5M to go following his outstanding 2023 season in San Diego," Heyman said. "There’s suggestion the Padres may cut back after losing money in 2023, but it may just not be in their DNA. Owner Peter Seidler badly wants to win."

Lugo was drafted in the 34th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and began his big league career with the club in 2016. The 33-year-old was a fixture with the club mainly out of the bullpen until 2022 but joined the Padres ahead of the 2023 campaign. Lugo moved into the rotation this season for San Diego and was impressive compiling a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts.

If he would be open to a reunion, he could be a solid middle-of-the-rotation guy for New York if he could carry over his 2023 momentum into the 2024 campaign. There is a lot of familiarity between the Mets and Lugo. They should at least consider making a call.