The New York Mets will not talk extension with any of their starting pitchers before spring training the New York Daily News was told by GM Sandy Alderson.
However, Alderson didn’t rule out extension talks during the 2017 season, “I am not going to say we would do or we are not going to do it,” Alderson said of looking to lock up one of their talented young arms long term during the season, “but heading into spring training, it’s not likely going to happen.”
The 27-year old Matt Harvey will be the first of the big five to hit free agency following the 2018 season and is arbitration eligible for the second time this offseason.
Next comes 28-year old Jacob deGrom and 26-year old Zack Wheeler, who can both test the market after the 2020 season and they’re arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason.
Steven Matz, 25, can become a free agent after the 2021 season and will be eligible for arbitration for the first time following the 2018 season.
The new ace of the staff, 24-year old Noah Syndergaard, can get his first big raise through arbitration after the 2017 season and is currently on track to become a free agent following the 2021 season.
Original Report – Dec 12
The New York Mets have reportedly yet to hold any contract extension talks with any of their young pitchers as of yet. The team’s assistant General Manager, John Ricco, discussed the subject on SNY‘s Mets Hot Stove this past week.
“It’s something that’s certainly in mind when we talk about how we’re going to keep this team in tact for the long term, and win in the long term,” Ricco said.
“But, to date we haven’t really engaged at all, though like in the past, if it makes sense we’ll aggressively approach them.”
With the Mets in their current winning window, now is as good a time as ever to attempt to lock down some of their young staff as they begin to hit free agency starting in 2018 with Matt Harvey.
Many believe Harvey will test free agency at this time, especially if able to come back from another injury just as good as he was before. The team though has four starters who may be willing to except an extension to provide themselves with security going forward.
Jacob deGrom has openly let it be known he would be willing to discuss a contract extension with the Mets. Now may be a good time to approach deGrom on a deal that will help the team retain him for years to come as he is currently slated to become a free agent after the 2020 season.
Finding a way to retain deGrom and Noah Syndergaard should be the team’s biggest priorities when it comes to this staff. Syndergaard is eligible to become a free agent following the 2021 season and has quickly powered his way to being one of the best pitchers in the game today.
Locking up Noah at this point of his career may be tricky but he has also shown a great affection for the city he plays in. Syndergaard has become the heart and soul of this rotation and although 2021 seems so far away, we all know how quickly that time will come.
With a pitcher like Steven Matz, it is tough. He has struggled to stay healthy in his career but has shown what a formidable pitcher he can be when able. Zack Wheeler has become somewhat of an unknown at this point, not pitching in the previous two seasons.
Finding a way though to get some of these guys under control for years to come will broaden the winning window for this Metropolitan team. Sooner than later they should look to approach each of them with extensions to keep them in Queens for years to come.
