Mets Reportedly Eyeing Two Star Pitchers In Free Agency Despite Stiff Competition

The Mets are attempting to land two star pitchers to help bolster the starting rotation

It sounds like the New York Mets are looking to land multiple stars this offseason. 

New York already has been busy this offseason by landing former All-Stars Luis Severino and Joey Wendle but still has plenty of work to do. The Mets are looking to improve the starting rotation and reportedly are interested in landing both Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shōta Imanaga, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

"But the Brewers are not the Mets. Stearns might have worked for a New York-born financial titan in Milwaukee in Mark Attanasio, but the New York-born financial behemoth he works for now, Steve Cohen, is the richest owner in the sport," Sherman said. "That is why you can hear this from an executive who said his perception is the Mets are going full bore in trying to land Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shōta Imanaga, among others, 'They’re not messing around. I don’t think they have the stomach for a year or two to get the ship turned around.'"

New York has been linked to Yamamoto on numerous occasions at this point and is viewed by many as the favorite to land his services. The Mets have more money than anyone else and can offer Yamamoto the highest contract. Plus, Yamamoto reportedly is open to New York. 

Imanaga hasn't had as many headlines as Yamamoto but still is going to be highly sought-after. The 30-year-old compiled a career 2.96 ERA in eight professional seasons with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and immediately will help any rotation he joins in 2024. He was stellar for the BayStars last season and compiled a 2.66 ERA across 24 starts. 

New York needs to add to the rotation still this offseason and it sounds like they're going to attempt some major moves.