Call to the pen
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MLB free agency: Three possible destinations for Masahiro Tanaka

By Nick Stevens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 01: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on September 01, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 01: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on September 01, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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New York Mets
A detailed view of New York Mets baseball bat weights and rosin bag sitting in the dugout prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 5, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Mets 4-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

The New York Mets are likely to be aggressive and Masahiro Tanaka makes sense.

Suddenly, it’s very difficult to talk about the big free agent names available and not have the New York Mets creep into your mind as a possible landing spot.

With Steve Cohen now in place and his willingness to spend immediately to move the Mets closer to World Series contention, outbidding the Yankees for Masahiro Tanaka isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

The Mets extended a qualifying offer to Marcus Stroman, but Stroman would be smart to test free agency, even in this current environment. Behind Bauer, Stroman is the next top pitching talent available and will command a sizeable deal with the team of his choice (top teams will still spend and the top flight of free agents will still get paid this winter).

Although, an argument can also be made that Stroman would be smart to accept the offer, work his way back to full strength after not pitching in 2020, and enter free agency in 2021 where the financial landscape may have a brighter outlook.

Regardless, the Mets need pitching help and they want to be aggressive, making Tanaka a prime target. He’s pitched very well across his career in New York and in the always dangerous AL East division. Perhaps his impressive run in New York can continue, just in a different stadium.

For a team looking to make some noise in next year’s playoffs, adding a proven playoff pitcher to pair with Jacob deGrom at the top of the rotation would go a long way.

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