The New York Mets may be doing more than their due diligence in their interest in free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel.
In an era of tanking and realizing the worst place to be is the middle, the New York Mets are doing something different in 2019 baseball and clearly going for it. From their Robinson Cano trade to the Jacob deGrom extension, they believe it’s their time, in a crowded division.
Due to the way the free agent market has been the past couple of seasons, two talented free agent pitchers in Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel remain unsigned, a week into the season. The New York Mets may have something to say about that though.
"The Mets have enjoyed a dynamic start to their season, but it’s not Brodie Van Wagenen’s style to stop making calls and thinking of ways to tinker with his roster.To that end, the team is still in continued contact with free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel, multiple major league sources said on Wednesday.Earlier this week, the Athletic reported on that contact and labeled it “due diligence.” That has been our understanding, too — and sources insisted that it remained the case. But at the same time, we keep hearing noise in the industry connecting the Mets to the former Cy Young Award winner."
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If the New York Mets are going to add Dallas Keuchel, they are going to have to get creative. Per Cot’s, they are $10 million under the luxury tax threshold for this year. At the conclusion of this season, that number increases to $63 million. We also know they came to an injury settlement with David Wright to save some money, but insurance will also pick up some of Yoenis Cespedes‘ salary as he recovers from surgery on both heels.
After this season, Zack Wheeler will be a free agent. The New York Mets also have a club option of $8 million on Jason Vargas, with a $2 million buyout.
Keuchel’s season left a lot to be desired last year, however, is he better than Vargas is right now? Yes. Adding Keuchel into a rotation with deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Wheeler and Steven Matz will give them one of the top rotations in the game, and arguably the best. That foursome, minus Keuchel stayed relatively healthy last season and it’s hard to have multiple seasons of good health out of your rotation.
Dave Eiland is an excellent pitching coach and combining him and manager Mickey Callaway for Keuchel may have given him a new lease on life in New York Mets uniform.
If the New York Mets are truly going for it, then Keuchel does make some sense. Would having an $8 million long man in the bullpen in Vargas be ideal? No, but who knew Keuchel would be available on April 5? Smart clubs look to improve where they can. New GM Brodie Van Wagenen has shown he’s creative thus far and it’s time for that to continue.