Mets Turn Focus to Starting Pitching After Busy Friday

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets went out and made three solid moves to improve the overall outlook of this team on Friday night. First came the versatility in Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha, then came the big splash in outfielder Starling Marte.

Overall, the Mets spent a total of $124.5 million on all three deals. Even after these contracts, the Mets are certainly nowhere close to done wheeling and dealing this offseason.

Billy Eppler and company now seem to be looking to address the big issue with this team. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are now turning their focus to the starting rotation.

One name in particular he mentions to watch is right-hander Jon Gray. Sherman notes that there is a ton of interest in the upside Gray presents, and the Mets are part of the group of teams trying to reel him in.

Gray will certainly benefit from leaving the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. He would be a solid addition to the backend of a Mets rotation that currently only has Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, and Taijuan Walker solidified into spots.

With that in mind, Sherman mentions that a rival executive told him Eppler and the Mets are looking to add more than one starting pitcher to the shorthanded rotation.

The big fish obviously would be right-hander Max Scherzer, however, SNY’s Andy Martino reported this morning that the Mets have had conversations with both him and his agent Scott Boras and they aren’t overly optimistic on that front.

However, they are reportedly in hard on right-hander Kevin Gausman. MMO’s own Mike Mayer reported Friday afternoon that the Mets have been showing significant interest in the 30-year old.   

Gausman might sign today or tomorrow, Martino said, and it was reported earlier this week that Gray is expected to sign within the next week. Keep it posted to MMO for what could be another busy day for the Mets.

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