Mets Linked To Star Pitcher In Possible Blockbuster Trade This Offseason

Should the Mets go all-in on the former Cy Young Award winner this offseason?

The New York Mets need to make a major splash this offseason.

New York had high expectations entering the 2023 season but was unable to live up to them. The Mets won 101 games in 2022 and seemingly got better on paper ahead of the 2023 season but injuries and inconsistent play decimated the season and forced the club to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.

The Mets already have made changes by bringing in David Stearns as the club's president of baseball operations and he has plenty of work to do. It sounds like his focus will be improving the starting rotation this offseason. The Athletic's Jim Bowden compiled a list of possible offseason trade candidates and one name that stood out is Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber. 

"Trade targets: Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, and Tyler Glasnow," Bowden said. "The Mets have a new leader in David Stearns, who has full autonomy to make baseball decisions with ultimate approval coming from Steve Cohen. Stearns has made it clear that pitching is his top priority, and the Mets certainly can compete with any team when it comes to checkbook baseball. 

Bieber is just 28 years old and already has two All-Star nods, a Gold Glove, an ERA title, a Triple Crown, and a Cy Young Award under his belt. He made just 21 starts in 2023 but compiled a 3.80 ERA. Bieber was even more impressive in 2022 as he logged a 2.88 ERA across 31 starts. It seems like he may be traded this offseason and the Mets have the prospect capital to get a deal done. A move certainly would make sense.