The New York Mets may want to keep Jacob deGrom moving forward, but that may not be possible.
deGrom is one of the top pitchers on the market, a true ace who can completely change the dynamic of a team when healthy. It is not a surprise that teams such as the Rangers, who are looking to take that next step forward, would be heavily involved in his market.
New York Mets eyeing possible Jacob deGrom replacements
This leaves the Mets in a difficult position. Not only would they need to replace deGrom in the rotation, but they also need other pieces to fill out the rotation. According to reports, the Mets are considering Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga to help supplement the pitching staff if deGrom departs.
Verlander makes sense on a short term deal at a higher annual salary. He may be turning 40 years old, but has been healthier than deGrom over this career while performing at a similar level. However, it is fair to wonder if he will actually leave the Astros given his comfort level and the fact that Houston is set up to contend for the foreseeable future.
Senga is a risky proposition as well. His fastball and forkball are both plus offerings and he has excellent command of his arsenal. The problem is that his other pitches are fringy at best, leaving Senga as a likely third starter at best. He has had plenty of success in Japan, but there is no guarantee that will carry over to the majors.
These are not going to be the only pitchers the Mets look at. They may well attempt to bring Chris Bassitt back to help fortify the middle of the rotation while eyeing other possible options to pair with Max Scherzer as a formidable 1-2 punch. But the Mets are not going to be caught flat-footed this time if their preferred option ends up signing elsewhere.
The New York Mets are eyeing replacements in case Jacob deGrom heads elsewhere. They are not going to be caught by surprise this offseason.