The New York Mets would love to add a starter before the trade deadline, but the market is thinning out.
One of the few elite pitchers left for the taking is Jack Flaherty of the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately for the Mets, their subway series rivals the New York Yankees are currently in negotiations with the Tigers for Flaherty.
Could talks between the Yankees and Tigers fall through? Should the Mets insert themselves into these discussions and attempt to outbid the Yankees? These are pertinent questions for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to consider over the next 24 hours.
Flaherty to the Mets is not a novel concept. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported on Sunday that the Mets will be searching for a starting pitcher up until the deadline hits on Tuesday night, and he mentioned Flaherty as a viable option.
“The Mets’ focus at the trade deadline was to improve their bullpen depth, which they accomplished with the trades for relievers Nick Maton and Ryne Stanek,” Bowden said. “However, their plans changed Saturday when Kodai Senga was diagnosed with a calf strain that is expected to keep him out the rest of the regular season.”
“Now they will pivot and try to trade for a starter such as Jack Flaherty of the Tigers … or Yusei Kikuchi of the Blue Jays.”
A Mets-Yankees bidding war for Flaherty would make for immaculate trade deadline drama. If Stearns is thinking about avoiding a trade for Flaherty altogether, he should also keep in mind that going after Kikuchi will also come with its fair share of suitors to outbid.
More MLB: Mariners predicted to land Blue Jays superstar in blockbuster trade
