Latest Chatter Gives Mets Higher Chance To Land Top Available Free Agent Ace

The Mets could end up landing the top free agent ace this offseason

What is next for the New York Mets?

New York is at a crossroads. The Mets won 101 games in 2022 but struggled in 2023 and won just 75 games. New York hired David Stearns to lead the baseball operations department and he is tasked with bringing the Mets back to contender status. 

The Mets already have been linked to multiple star free agents but none more than Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He will be posted this offseason and could be the top free agent hurler available and there's reportedly a solid chance he could land with the Mets, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.

"'It’s legit,' said a major league talent evaluator who has watched both pitchers as transcribed by Puma. “It’s better than (Kodai Senga). Yamamoto is younger. I think (Yamamoto) has better fastball command. Senga’s cutter and split are probably better, but (Yamamoto) is a better pitcher, which is crazy to say because Senga is really good, too.”

"Roughly a dozen teams sent executives to Japan during the season to watch Yamamoto pitch. But the projected price tag could mean even fewer teams will realistically pursue him. Yamamoto, according to a source, is open to joining an MLB rotation that already has another Japanese pitcher. That bodes well for the Mets, who have multiple rotation vacancies to fill."

Yamamoto has been linked to the Mets on multiple occasions. Plus, Senga reportedly has been recruiting the young hurler to New York, as well. If the Mets could land Yamamoto, he would be the perfect addition to the club's starting rotation. Yamamoto is just 25 years old and could be a building block for the future. Pairing him with Senga would give the club a fearsome duo at the top of the rotation and could help get the club back on track. 

There are still a few weeks until free agency kicks off but the Mets could end up being busy.