The Winter Meetings are now in the rear view mirror and though the wheeling and dealing for the upcoming season is hardly over, much was done at the annual gathering of baseball players and executives in San Diego. The Mets added pitching depth as they acquired both Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello. Much of the press since the meetings has focused on Wacha, whom St. Louis manager Mike Shildt could be the the “steal” of the winter.

But upon reflection, although Wacha certainly has the pedigree to improve off of an off-season and make a mark for the Mets, it could be Rick Porcello who could turn out to be the Mets best signing. The 2016 Cy Young Award winner is also coming off a poor year, but did make 32 starts for the Boston Red Sox in 2019 solidifying his reputation as a durable starter. In fact, in his 11-year career, he has started 30 or more times on eight occasions and never has started fewer than 27 games.

Despite multi-year offers from other teams, the Mets managed to sign Porcello to a one-year deal worth $10 million. The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the teams that offered more as they were planning to offer $12 million on a one-year deal with the possibility of adding a second. Another team offered him $14 million and at least one other club offered Porcello a three-year deal according to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. But Porcello, who will turn 31 on December 27, bet on himself to bounce back, took less in terms of money and years, and chose the team he rooted for most of his life, the New York Mets. If all goes well, the Mets would then be in a position to sign him to a longer term deal.

Porcello mentioned he was impressed by the Mets presentation. “The Mets were the first one that called, even (as) kind of a small gesture because you get so many phone calls that day from different teams checking in,” Porcello said to reporters on Monday.

“It was something that kind of put me on alert. I had my eyes set on the Mets entering free agency.” The Morristown, New Jersey native also cited hometown comfort as a deciding factor to come to New York. Changing leagues no doubt was a factor as well as Porcello will pitch at least half of his games at Citi Field instead of Fenway Park.

Porcello had a rough year for the Red Sox in 2019, pitching to a 5.52 ERA (4.76 FIP) and a 1.39 WHIP in 174.1 innings pitched. He cites several reasons for the poor year, including preparation for the 2019 season after pitching late into the autumn the year before as the Sox won the World Series in 2018. Porcello also cited poor mechanics and the inability to execute his pitches.

As he looks to rebuild his value before potentially hitting the free agent market again after the 2020 season, Porcello will likely round out a rotation that is also expected to include Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Marcus Stroman.

Porcello seems to have put his poor 2018 behind him though as he readies himself for 2019. At his introductory conference call he said, “To get the opportunity to play for the organization that I cheered on for so many years is a huge honor. I couldn’t be more grateful, especially coming off a tough year. I’m looking forward to rebounding and doing something special here in New York next season.”

Mets fans have the same hope.