Yankees, Mets Both Attempting To Land Same Free Agent Pitcher

Both New York clubs reportedly are pursuing the same free-agent pitcher

The New York Yankees have some competition for one of their top free-agent targets.

New York has been looking to add some help to the bullpen. The Yankees were linked to former Houston Astros hurler Héctor Neris but missed out on him as the Chicago Cubs swooped in and got a deal done. 

The Yankees have been linked to other hurlers as well and will have to act fast if they want to land one of their top targets. New York has been linked to both Wandy Peralta and Keynan Middleton as reunion candidates after strong seasons. 

The Yankees aren't the only team pursuing Peralta, though, and one other team that is "targeting" him is the cross-town rival New York Mets, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Mets are pursuing lefty relievers, and one they have been targeting is Wandy Peralta, who had a sub-3 ERA all three years with the Yankees," Heyman said.

Peralta is one of the most sought-after free-agent relievers after a strong 2023 campaign. He had a 2.83 ERA in 63 appearances with the Yankees and had a 51-to-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 54 innings pitched. 

If he could maintain that level of success into the 2024 campaign, he would be a major pickup for whichever team lands him. It's unclear where he will sign at this point, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him land with either New York club. 

The Yankees still need to add to the bullpen and will need to act fast if they want to land Peralta or he may end up in New York but with the Yankees' rival.