Mets Reluctant to Sign Long-Term Deals for Free-Agent Starters

The New York Mets head into this offseason with a pretty clear goal: fix a shaky starting rotation without getting buried under massive, long-term pitching contracts. It’s a tricky spot. Top arms cost a fortune, durability’s always a gamble, and recent history has hammered home just how ugly those seven-year pitcher commitments can get. The Mets want to stay aggressive, sure, but they’re not looking to be reckless.

Mets Seek Rotation Upgrades Without Massive Long-Term Commitments

The front office keeps repeating that improving the rotation tops their list. Still, there’s this stubborn resistance to handing out those lengthy deals to free-agent starters.

That mindset really shapes how they look at big-name options like Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, and Ranger Suarez. They’re interested, but only if the years stay in check.

Short-Term Appeal of Top Free-Agent Starters

The Athletic reports that pitchers like Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, and Ranger Suarez are on the Mets’ list. The catch? Years and price have to line up. Here’s where projections land:

That’s the going rate for guys at or near the top of a rotation. The Mets hesitate to go that long, even for pitchers with real upside. Past big-money deals have left scars.

Dylan Cease Contract Sets the Market Tone

Dylan Cease just signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. On paper, it’s a monster deal. But there’s a twist: a lot of deferred money lowers the real value.

For the Mets, deals like Cease’s just highlight the risk of tying up so much payroll in pitchers who log 180–200 tough innings a year. They’ll compete on average annual value, but they want flexibility—shorter terms, maybe some options, and nothing that drags down the payroll for the next decade.

Why Imai, Second-Tier Arms, and Market Patience Matter

Tatsuya Imai stands out this winter. He’s got age, stuff, and upside, which makes him a tempting bet for teams banking on development.

The Imai Factor and the Soft-Market Strategy

Imai turns 28 in May. That’s young enough to tempt some clubs to stretch to six years. The Mets seem ready to play the waiting game if they have to.

Look at last offseason: Blake Snell found a surprisingly cool market, and his eventual deal reflected that more than his Cy Young résumé. The Mets hope something similar happens again. Maybe a high-end arm lingers, and they can make a move for less if the market softens.

Second-Tier Starters with Frontline Potential

They’re not just watching the headliners. There’s a group of second-tier free agents with legit front-of-the-rotation potential, though each comes with some baggage.

Here are some names they’re eyeing:

These guys won’t come cheap either, but maybe the Mets can snag one on a shorter, high-AAV deal. That’s more their speed these days.

Trade Market: Prospects as Currency, Control as the Key

If free agency doesn’t go their way, the Mets are ready to pivot to the trade market. That’s where their prospect depth gives them some real leverage.

Targets: Mitch Keller, Freddy Peralta, and Other Trade Chips

The Mets have shown interest in Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s under team control for three more years at $54.5 million total. For a pitcher on the rise, that’s a pretty appealing mix of cost certainty and upside.

Other arms they’re watching:

Pitchers with only a year of control—Peralta and Skubal—are a tougher sell. Unless the price is right or the Mets feel confident they can extend them, it’s a tough call.

Prospect Capital and the Risk of Waiting Too Long

The Mets actually have enough prospect depth to pull off a major trade. Names like:

give them plenty of flexibility to put together packages for controllable pitching. The tricky part? Timing. If they wait too long, the best arms disappear.

But if they move too quickly, the Mets might overpay in prospects or cash. That could leave them stuck with a starter who isn’t really a long-term fit.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mets “Reluctant” To Make Long-Term Offers For Free Agent Starters