Mets, who nearly signed Julio Teheran this week, still need pitching depth
PORT ST. LUCIE -- The Mets finished second to Baltimore this week in pursuing free agent starting pitcher Julio Teheran, according to league sources, and might get another opportunity to sign him later this month.
The pursuit, though it did not result in Teheran becoming a Met, tells us where the team is in constructing its starting rotation and staff. The front office is fairly bullish on its pitching depth and prospects, though rival evaluators tend to view them as an arm or so short for this year.
The Mets have never been in on top free agents like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, and won’t sign either unless the prices sink lower than anyone imagines they will. New York is also likely taking a pass on another tier of veteran starters still available like Mike Clevenger and Michael Lorenzen, unless their asking prices drop.
But what they will do is be very active in adding to their depth by keeping a close eye on pitchers with opt-outs, and those who might become available due to roster crunches in other camps.
Teheran’s agreement with Baltimore, a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, contains an opt-out on March 25, according to a person familiar with that deal.
The Mets will monitor that because Teheran nearly chose them in the first place -- although Baltimore’s decision to give Teheran a $100,000 signing bonus, which is unusually high for a non-roster invitee, would seem to indicate that the Orioles expect him to stick.
If it’s not Teheran for the Mets, it should be someone. The front office spent the winter adding starters and relievers with high ceilings (though, in many cases, trouble throwing strikes), which is one of the reasons why the team genuinely believes that it's being underestimated in most predictions, and will contend for a playoff spot.
But even before Kodai Senga’s shoulder injury, and especially after, it’s easy to understand why outsiders look at the back-of-the-rotation group of Tylor Megill, Jose Butto, Adrian Houser and Joey Lucchesi as a bit thin.
The bullpen group carries more upside, though it would have been even better if the team had landed Aroldis Chapman to set up Edwin Diaz. Per league sources, the Mets and Chapman were discussing a potential deal in the approximately $8 million range before Chapman signed with Pittsburgh for $10.5 million.
Another quality arm or two would raise the floor of the team, and help prevent further injuries from being catastrophic.
