As expected, the New York Mets have their hands in many pots when it comes to the starting pitching market this winter after their rotation faltered down the stretch of the regular season. They’ve been linked to several of the top names on the trade market, such as Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins, but perhaps David Stearns will go against his M.O. and hand out a big deal to a free agent arm as well.
Mets Top Potential Landing Spot for Framber Valdez?
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Mets are viewed as one of the favorites to sign long-time Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez alongside the Baltimore Orioles.
Stearns was Houston’s assistant general manager when Valdez signed with the organization as an international free agent in March 2015, so there’s a preexisting connection there between the southpaw and New York’s primary decision-maker.
Valdez, who caught some flak late in the year following a controversial cross-up incident with catcher César Salazar, is perhaps the top starter left on the open market this offseason. The two-time All-Star logged a 3.66 ERA in 31 starts and 192 innings during the 2025 campaign. Since the 2021 season, Valdez has posted a 3.20 ERA across 143 outings and 902 1/3 frames.
MLB Trade Rumors projects that he’ll land a five-year contract worth $150 million.
Mets Enamored by Imai and King
Feinsand added that the Mets are among the clubs showing the most interest in right-handers Michael King and Tatsuya Imai.
King, who began his big-league career with the Yankees before being dealt to the San Diego Padres as part of the package for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham in December 2023, put up a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts and 73 1/3 innings this past season while battling shoulder and knee injuries. He declined the $22.005 million qualifying offer last month.
Imai was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball on November 19, and he’ll have until January 2 to sign with an MLB team. The 27-year-old owned a 3.15 ERA over 963 2/3 total innings with the Lions, though he posted a career-best mark of 1.92 in 2025 over 163 2/3 innings.
Possible Ranger Suarez Pursuit?
Feinsand also noted that the Mets are in the mix for left-hander Ranger Suárez, who developed into a key piece of the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation over recent years.
The 30-year-old posted a 3.20 ERA in 26 outings and 157 1/3 frames in 2025. The 2024 All-Star, who primarily served as a reliever at the beginning of his major league career, has recorded a 3.45 ERA in 119 total starts.
