Here’s the latest Mets free agency and trade buzz during the 2024-25 MLB offseason…
Dec. 10, 10:45 p.m.
There are several different ways the Mets could round out their infield heading into next season.
If they want to get creative one option they could consider on the trade market is 3B Nolan Arenado, who the St. Louis Cardinals have said they intend to move on from this offseason.
Bringing in Arenado could allow them to move Mark Vientos to first base if Pete Alonso walks in free agency, or the youngster could be the DH and New York could form an elite left side of the infield with Arenado and Francisco Lindor.
If they do decide to go that route, New York is indeed one of six clubs that the veteran would to willing to waive his no-trade clause for, according to John Denton of MLB.com.
The others are said to be the Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Angels.
While Arenado remains a sure-handed defender, he has seen his offensive production steadily decline over the past few seasons, and he’s coming off a campaign in which he posted some of his lowest numbers since his rookie year (16 HR, 71 RBI).
The 33-year-old is also owed $74 million over the next three seasons.
Dec. 10, 8:00 p.m.
As the Mets look to continue building out their starting rotation, it appears that one of their targets is now off the board.
After testing the open market, Nathan Eovaldi has opted to re-sign with the Rangers on a three-year, $75 million deal according to numerous reports.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic first mentioned New York’s interest in Eovaldi last week, but it seemed like a long shot at the time with a reunion being Texas’ top priority.
Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, and Nick Pivetta are other names the Mets have been connected to.
SNY’s Andy Martino also reported on Monday that there’s been “increasing optimism” around the organization about a potential reunion with Sean Manaea.
They are also rumored to be among the “most aggressive suitors” in the sweepstakes for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet.
Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
As the Mets look to continue building their starting rotation, SNY’s MLB Insider Andy Martino says he’s sensing “increasing optimism” around the club on a potential reunion with Sean Manaea.
“Towards the end of the season my read on this if you’re the Mets was we love Sean, we appreciate Sean, but that market might outpace where we go on starting pitching,” Martino said on Monday’s Mets Hot Stove. “But the vibe I’m getting now is that they love him so much that they might be willing to stretch a little.
“If someone comes in with five or six years for a pitcher already in his 30s, he’s probably going to that team. But it seems as if the Mets have remained in contact and remain feeling pretty good about that.”
Manaea certainly has put himself in a tremendous spot this offseason following his breakout campaign in which he pitched to a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while making a career-high 32 starts with the Mets.
The southpaw enjoyed his time in the Big Apple and said he’d “love to be back” at the end of the season.
While there is plenty of competition for his services, bringing Manaea back into the mix would be a tremendous boost for a rotation that’s already added his good friend Frankie Montas and former Yankees closer Clay Holmes this offseason.
Nov. 28, 10:33 a.m.
Like the Mets and Yankees, the Blue Jays remain focused on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but they are also keeping an eye out for other targets in case the superstar outfielder lands elsewhere.
On the pitching front, Toronto is among teams that are showing interest in former Mets right-hander Luis Severino, according to Ben Nicholsen-Smith of Sportsnet.
Severino turned down New York’s qualifying offer last week with hopes of earning himself a multi-year pact on the open market.
The veteran is coming off a strong year in which he stayed healthy and pitched to 3.91 ERA across 31 outings.
