by Here’s the latest Mets Free agency and trade buzz during the 2024-25 MLB offseason…
December 20th, 3:15 p.m
As the Mets look to fill their current void at first base, they are reportedly among the teams in discussions with Paul Goldschmidtaccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
New York has long been seen as a logical consequence of a reunion with New York Pete Alonsowho lost another suitor Friday morning when the Astros signed Christian Walker to a three-year deal, but it looks like they are keeping their options open.
Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner, but he is coming off a somewhat down year in which he hit just 22 homers and career-low OBP (.302). , SLG (.414) and OPS (.716).
For this reason, the 36-year-old would likely only sign a cheap one-year deal.
Other teams in the mix, according to Nightengale, include the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals and the Yankees – who are reportedly “increasingly likely” to sign a short-term first baseman like Goldschmidt or Carlos Santana.
December 17th, 7:35 p.m
One of the Mets’ first pitching attempts this offseason reportedly has numerous suitors, including the Toronto team.
The Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Blue Jays are among the many teams in the mix Nick Pivetta.
Of course, the Mets are looking for at least one more starter to complement their revamped rotation Frankie Montas And Clay Holmes. Pivetta is one of five starters linked to the Queens team. A reunion with Sean Manaea lies on the table while Pivetta, Walker Buhler And Jack Flaherty are names available through free agency.
The Mets have also inquired with the Seattle Mariners about a possible trade Luis Castillo.
December 14th, 8:20 p.m
The Mariners are open to trading RHP Luis Castilloif returning makes sense for them and the Mets have reportedly inquired with Seattle.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets, Orioles, Red Sox and Cubs have all reached out to the Mariners to at least inquire about a possible Castillo transfer.
Castillo posted an 11-12 record and pitched to a 3.64 ERA, pitching for the light-hitting Mariners in 2024. However, the year before was a different story. The right-hander was 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP en route to his third All-Star selection and finishing fifth in the Cy Young voting in 2023.
The Mets continue to look for rotation help after the acquisition Frankie Montas And Clay Holmes this offseason. New York could potentially seek a reunion with them Sean Manaea and were also linked Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty And Nick Pivetta.
December 14th, 11:15 a.m
The Houston Astros are emerging as a “serious suitor” for the St. Louis Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenadoaccording to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
The Cardinals have said they intend to move on this offseason from the 33-year-old, who is owed $74 million over the next three seasons.
If Arenado moves, he will first have to waive his no-trade clause. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, he named six teams he would be willing to forgo: the Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Angels.
It’s unclear whether Arenado would waive his no-trade clause if he moved to Houston. The Astros made a big move on Friday by trading away OF Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, and the team is still trying to keep 3B Alex Bregman, although those talks appear to have stalled.
Arenado could fit in at 3B for the Mets and allow for the development of a star Mark Vientos to play more at DH. If Pete Alonso leaves in free agency, trading Arenado would allow New York to move Vientos to 1B.
December 12, 9:29 am
The Mets have serious competition for the free agent right-hander Walker Buhler.
Teams interested in Buehler include the Red Sox, Giants and Tigers, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
The Giants are heavily linked to free agent righty Corbin Burnesand if they were to sign him, it stands to reason that their chances of signing Buehler would go down.
As for the Red Sox, they remain interested in additional starting pitching reinforcements even after making a blockbuster trade for the White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
According to Olney, Buehler is seeking a multi-year deal with opt-outs, which makes sense considering he’s coming off a regular season in which he struggled mightily.
The 30-year-old Buehler could look to re-establish himself at the top of the rotation arm before potentially hitting the market again next offseason.
SNY’s Andy Martino has reported that the Mets are interested in Buehler, who was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2018 to 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022 and returning last season.
December 10th, 10:45 p.m
There are several ways the Mets could round out their infield for next season.
If they want to get creative, they might consider one option on the trade market: 3B Nolan Arenadowhich the St. Louis Cardinals have announced that they want to move on after this offseason.
The inclusion of Arenado could allow them to make a move Mark Vientos to first base if Pete Alonso Walks in free agency, or the youngster could be the DH and New York could form an elite left infield with Arenado and Francisco Lindor.
Should they indeed decide to go that route, New York is actually one of six clubs the veteran would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for, according to MLB.com’s John Denton.
The others are said to be the Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Angels.
Although Arenado remains a solid defender, his offensive production has steadily declined in recent seasons, and he is coming off a season in which he posted some of his lowest numbers since his rookie year (16 HR, 71 RBI).
The 33-year-old is also owed $74 million over the next three seasons.
December 10th, 8:00 p.m
As the Mets look to continue to expand their starting rotation, one of their goals now appears to be off the table.
After testing the free market, Nathan Eovaldi has decided to re-sign with the Rangers on a three-year, $75 million contract, according to numerous reports.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic first mentioned New York’s interest in Eovaldi last week, but it seemed far-fetched at the time given that a reunion was Texas’ top priority.
Walker Buhler, Jack FlahertyAnd Nick Pivetta are other names the Mets have been linked to.
SNY’s Andy Martino also reported Monday that there is “increasing optimism” within the organization about a possible reunion Sean Manaea.
They are also rumored to be among the “most aggressive suitors” in the White Sox left-back sweepstakes Garrett Crochet.
December 9th, 7:30 p.m
As the Mets look to continue to expand their starting rotation, SNY’s MLB Insider Andy Martino says he senses “increasing optimism” around the club about a potential reunion Sean Manaea.
“Toward the end of the season, I read about this, if you’re the Mets: We love Sean, we appreciate Sean, but this market might exceed the market where we start pitching,” Martino said Monday on the Mets Hot Stove.” “But the vibe I’m getting now is that they love him so much that they might be willing to stretch themselves a little bit.
“If someone is five or six years old and is starting for a pitcher who is already in his 30s, he will probably go to that team. But it seems like the Mets have stayed in touch and are still feeling pretty good about it.”
Manaea has certainly put himself in a great position this offseason, having posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in his 32 starts with the Mets.
The southpaw enjoyed his time in the Big Apple and said he would “love to come back” at the end of the season.
While there is plenty of competition for his services, bringing Manaea back into the mix would be a huge boost to a rotation that has already added his good friend Frankie Montas and former Yankees closer Clay Holmes this offseason.
November 28, 10:33 am
Like the Mets and Yankees, the Blue Jays remain focused Juan Soto sweepstakes, but they’re also looking for other targets in case the superstar outfielder ends up elsewhere.
On the pitching front, Toronto is among the teams showing interest in the former Mets right-hander Luis Severinosaid Ben Nicholsen-Smith of Sportsnet.
Severino turned down New York’s qualifying offer last week in hopes of securing a multi-year contract on the open market.
The veteran is coming off a strong year in which he stayed healthy and posted a 3.91 ERA in 31 appearances.
