According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the New York Mets, “spoke with Verlander by Zoom last week.” This via “major-league sources.” Of course, starting pitchers Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt, and Taijuan Walker are all currently free agents. Verlander appears to be the Mets’ fallback plan if deGrom were to move on.

Verlander, who is 39 years old, and will turn 40 in February, posted a sensational season last year. He won his third-career Cy Young award by tallying a league-leading 1.75 ERA. He also owned a 18-4 record with 185 strikeouts over only 175 innings pitched. The no-brainer, hall-of-fame bound pitcher arguably had one of the best seasons of his 17-year career.

As for the type of contract he will command, Verlander is reportedly seeking a deal that would be in the range of Max Scherzer‘s $43.3-million per year contract. This, of course, over multiple seasons. Which is very troublesome given the right-handed starter is about to turn 40 years old.

Regression is a given, and even the best of the best, like Verlander, will experience it at some point. When it arrives, it usually comes on quick. With that being said, do the Mets really want to have $85-million plus tied up in two pitches close to their 40s? Is that a smart investment if deGrom moves on? Time will tell.

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The report by Rosenthal also mentions the Mets meeting with Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and contacting free agent starter Jameson Taillon.

Taillon had a rebirth of such last season with the Yankees. He posted a 14-5 record with a 3.91 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 171 1/3 innings. This after not pitching in 2020 and posting a 4.30 ERA in 2021. His underlying metrics throughout his career has painted a picture of a good third/fourth starter. Specifically last season, as he posted an xERA of 4.20 and xFIP of 3.79. Both not too shabby figures for a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

MLB Trade Rumors projects a four-year, $56-million deal for the 31 year old. This average annual figure comes in at $14-million per season, which is around what a third-or-fourth starter would make. A figure that likely places him between Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, which is fitting given the levels of each of those pitchers.

It will certainly be interesting to see how general manager Billy Eppler and the New York Mets address their starting rotation. At the reported price, Taillon would certainly make a decent later-rotation starter. Meanwhile, a lateral decision to sign Verlander, if the team loses on on deGrom, would put the team in an interesting situation.