When is enough, enough?
Well for the Mets the answer is never.
Despite already adding four pieces to the team for next season and beyond the Mets have not signaled any sign of slowing down. Owner Steve Cohen is expected to push payroll beyond heights imagined and hopefully spend his way to a World Series trophy in 2022.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post identified five targets the Mets could sign post-lockout with contract predictions.
- Yusei Kikuchi (two years, $26 million)
- Collin McHugh (one year, $8 million)
- Ryan Tepera (two years, $16 million)
- Andrew Miller (one year, $3 million)
- Brett Gardner (one year, $3 million)
Kikuchi has been a popular name linked to the Mets after he declined a $13 million option for 2022 with the Seattle Mariners. Could the Mets sign a former Mariner for once?
Kikuchi was an All-Star in 2021 but had a second-half collapse akin to Taijuan Walker. When his velocity is up, Kikuchi’s numbers plant him as one of the best starters in baseball but when it begins to drop his ERA inflates vociferously. Still, he has been one of the most durable starters and has made 70 starts the last three seasons, tied for 23rd in baseball.
McHugh could make his valiant return to the New York Mets organization after being traded away for Eric Young Jr. in 2013. McHugh was one of the best relievers in baseball last season along with Tepera. Both strike out batters in bunches and suffocate lefties despite pitching from the right side of the mound.
Miller has one of the more dramatic pitching splits in baseball. The lefty reliever held opposing lefties to a .545 OPS but righties hit for a 1.151 OPS against the veteran. Sherman cited Miller’s clubhouse presence as a positive and that three of the best hitters in the NL East (Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman) are all left-handed batters.
Brett Gardner? In blue and orange? This one seems a little nuts. Gardner has played his entire career with the Yankees and he’d demolish that reputation for one year with the Mets. He’d likely be nothing more than a bench bat or defensive replacement. He’d make the Mets deeper for sure but his interest would be the question needing answers.
Sherman’s five additions add $35 million to the Mets payroll and no long-term investments. The Mets would be in a prime position to be title favorites when the 2022 season gets rolling.
