Mets Reportedly Pursuing Reunion With Veteran Hurler After Career Year

It sounds like a reunion could be on the way in New York with a veteran pitcher after a great year

One former member of the New York Mets is looking for a new home.

Former Mets pitcher Seth Lugo spent the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres and arguably had the best season of his career so far. Lugo transitioned fully into the starting rotation and logged a 3.57 ERA across 26 starts. 

Lugo now is a free agent and unsurprisingly will have a robust market after a stellar season. One team that reportedly has shown interest in Lugo to help bolster their rotation is the Mets, according to Metsmerized Online's Mike Mayer.

"Sources: As the Mets continue to monitor the starting pitching market, they have shown interest in former Met Seth Lugo," Mayer said. "Lugo had a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts for the Padres this season.

"Seth Lugo is getting significant interest on the free agent market, with the (Atlanta Braves), (Kansas City Royals), and (Boston Red Sox) all in the mix, too. And the Padres would like to bring him back as well."

Lugo was selected in the 34th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and eventually made his big league debut with the club in 2016. The veteran righty spent the first seven seasons of his career with New York and mainly served in a bullpen role. 

The 34-year-old appeared in 275 games with the Mets throughout his seven-year stint and logged a 3.48 ERA across 494 2/3 innings pitched. New York is looking to rebuild its starting rotation and Lugo could be a very solid addition. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he already is so familiar with the organization. Don't be surprised if speculation about a reunion begins to pick up.