Mets Insider Hints Club Could Trade For One Of Best Pitchers In Baseball This Offseason

New York could end up having a major shakeup this offseason

The New York Mets may need to make at least one major move this offseason if the club wants to return to the postseason. 

New York won just 75 games in 2023 and certainly is at a crossroads. The Mets already have hired former Milwaukee Brewers executive David Stearns as the club's president of baseball operations and more moves are expected shortly. New York is in an intriguing spot. The Mets have plenty of money to spend and some talent on the roster but more work needs to be done.

One major move that reportedly could be a possibility is trading for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to SNY's Danny Abriano. 

"Cease, who is entering his age-28 season, is under team control through 2025," Abriano said. "He was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022 after a strong 2021 campaign but regressed in 2023 while posting a 4.58 ERA. A look at Cease's advanced stats shows that he remained elite when it came to his whiff rate, strikeout rate, and ability to prevent hitters from barreling the ball up -- so he could be due for a nice bounce back next season. And the Mets need serious reinforcements for their rotation.

"Chicago will put a very high price on Cease. And despite the fact that they're likely looking at a rebuilding year, they don't have to rush to deal him. They could perhaps hope he returns to form during the first half of next season and move him at that point."

Cease is an intriguing trade candidate. He struggled in 2023 with a 4.58 ERA in 33 starts but has a career 3.83 ERA in five big league seasons. The big righty has developed into one of the best young hurlers in baseball and is just 27 years old. Chicago may look to move on from Cease this offseason because the club appears to be entering a full rebuild and can get a massive package for him. 

The 27-year-old compiled an eye-popping 2.20 ERA in 2022 in 33 starts and would be a major upgrade for New York if he could return to that level of play. It's unclear if a move actually will happen, but it would be a positive step for the Mets.