Mets rumors: Big-name free agents may be ignored because of this
The New York Mets will enter the offseason looking to rebound from a very disappointing end to the 2022 campaign. However, one MLB insider is saying that the Mets won’t be in pursuit of some well-known free agents because of the potential qualifying offers attached to them.
New York Mets rumors: Qualifying offers will keep team from pursuing certain free agents
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Mets will be less likely to pursue any free agent this offseason who has a qualifying offer attached to him. That means that New York may be out of the running for starting pitchers such as Carlos Rodón (who is expected to get a qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants) and Tyler Anderson (who could have a QO extended to him by the Los Angeles Dodgers).
Aaron Judge could also receive a qualifying offer from the Yankees, but rumors say the Mets won’t get into a bidding war with their cross-town rivals because of the relationship between the owners of the two franchises.
The qualifying offer for this offseason sits at $19.65 million for one year, and any team that signs a player with a qualifying offer attached to him will have to send a draft pick back to his former team as compensation.
Sending the draft pick back is one of the reasons why the Mets may turn a cold shoulder to any player with a QO. According to Heyman, “The Mets only say it’s part of the equation, but their build-from-within MO may value picks more than some others.”
It’s already been made clear heading into this offseason that the Mets will spend money, but also won’t sacrifice their farm system. Heyman has written in other articles that the franchise is looking to build up its farm system as a feeder tool for future seasons.
Heyman also adds in that article that the Mets may be putting a number of qualifying offers on their outgoing free agents, including Jacob deGrom, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo, Chris Bassitt and “possibly” Taijuan Walker. Could that sour other teams on pursuing them?
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Once the offseason officially begins after the conclusion of the World Series, how New York bolsters its lineup and shapes its 2023 roster will be fascinating to watch. It’s clear Steve Cohen wants to win, but he also reportedly isn’t going to win at all costs.