According to a team insider, the Mets are still considering whether to bring back and re-sign free-agent RHP Chris Young, Andy Martino reports in the Daily News.
The trade that sent R.A. Dickey to Toronto and brought back catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, created a new hole in the starting rotation. The Mets will not replace their lost ace with a top pitcher, but are seeking a fifth starter, says Martino.
Young was 4-9 with a 4.15 ERA last year — but as he further recovered from his 2011 surgery, his performance improved. Young posted a 4.76 ERA in August, and a 2.73 in September, closing the season with a sense of optimism for his future.
Now, further removed from surgery, Young could have a full comeback season much like Chris Capuano did last season for the Dodgers.
General manager Sandy Alderson mentioned during a WFAN interview this week that the team could also pursue Francisco Liriano.
It appears that all the Mets really want is someone to be a stopgap until prized prospect Zack Wheeler is ready around mid season to join Matt Harvey and form the nucleus of the team’s future rotation.
