The New York Mets are actively seeking starting pitching upgrades during the current offseason.
While the club is considered a favorite to land two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, they are simultaneously preparing for the possibility that the bidding war becomes too expensive, according to “reporting from Sportsnaut.”
If the team fails to sign the former Detroit Tigers star, they may pivot to the trade market to address future rotation concerns beyond the 2026 season.
The Seattle Mariners have emerged as a potential partner, with the club planning to address its own roster needs by moving at least one starting pitcher, “according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.”
The available arms include Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock, and George Kirby.
All three pitchers were ranked among the Mariners’ top five prospects in either 2022 or 2023, per “MLB.com prospect data.”
While Kirby has earned an All-Star selection and Miller has recorded a strong 2.94 ERA in previous campaigns, all three have experienced inconsistent performance in recent years.
This volatility has made them available for a more reasonable price as Seattle looks to acquire hitting depth.
The Mariners are reportedly seeking right-handed hitters to bolster the left side of their infield or the outfield corners, “as noted by Gonzalez.”
Potential trade assets from the Mets could include Brett Baty or Mark Vientos, both of whom offer hitting upside and positional versatility.
The team also possesses infield prospects like Ronny Mauricio and Ryan Clifford, who have remained well-regarded over the last few seasons.
An outside-the-box consideration involves the potential return of Jorge Polanco to Seattle, though such a move remains speculative.
Although the Mets are not currently favorites to finalize a deal, these pitchers represent solid fallback options with significant upside for a team looking to solidify its starting rotation for the long term.
The front office continues to balance its aggressive pursuit of top free agents with the necessity of maintaining a deep and sustainable roster.