The New York Mets are making significant moves to bolster their starting rotation for the upcoming MLB season. They have finalized a $13 million contract with former Yankee pitcher Luis Severino, adding him to their rotation. The Mets had a need for starting pitchers, with only Kodai Senga and José Quintana locked into rotation spots at the start of the offseason.
One of their top targets is NPB superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a three-time winner of Japan’s Sawamura Award (equivalent to the Cy Young Award). Numerous teams are vying for the 25-year-old right-hander, and the Mets are considered favorites by some rival clubs, although competition is fierce.
In addition to Yamamoto, the Mets are exploring other options in the free-agent market. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery is reportedly a more likely target than fellow southpaws Blake Snell and Eduardo Rodriguez. Montgomery has attracted attention from multiple teams, including the Red Sox, Yankees, and Rangers, following a strong season with a 3.20 ERA across 188 2/3 innings.
The Mets are also showing interest in Shota Imanaga, the second-best pitcher coming from Japan this offseason. Imanaga was recently posted by the Yokohama BayStars, allowing him to sign with a major league team within a 45-day window. While not on the same level as Yamamoto, Imanaga has the potential to secure a lucrative deal. He’s coming off a season with a 2.80 ERA over 148 innings in NPB and is regarded as a mid-rotation arm.
Both Montgomery and Imanaga could potentially sign five or more-year contracts, aligning with the Mets’ competitive timeline. The team aims to contend beyond the upcoming season, with a focus on 2025 and beyond. As a result, they are unlikely to actively pursue trades for star players with contracts expiring in the next season, such as Tyler Glasnow. The Mets are looking to build for the future rather than sacrificing future value for short-term rentals.