MLB Insider Andy Martino disclosed that the Mets had been actively pursuing free agent pitcher Julio Teheran this week, but ultimately, the former Atlanta Braves standout opted to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. Martino mentioned that the Mets were a close second in the race for Teheran and might have another chance to secure him if he decides to opt out of his contract by March 25. The addition of a $100,000 signing bonus by Baltimore was cited as the decisive factor in Teheran’s choice.
Despite falling short in their bid for the 33-year-old veteran, the Mets revealed their strategy for addressing their starting pitching depth, targeting a more affordable starter.
Multiple sources confirmed that the Mets have ruled out pursuing high-priced options like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery due to financial constraints and are similarly uninterested in pitchers such as Mike Clevenger and Michael Lorenzen due to their asking prices. They have also chosen not to pursue Trevor Bauer.
With their current rotation relying on high-upside pitchers like Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, the Mets recognize the need for starters with consistent performance. This need was further underscored by Kodai Senga’s shoulder injury, prompting Jose Quintana, Adrian Houser, and Tylor Megill to move up in the rotation from their previous depth roles.
The Mets are seeking to add a final piece to their rotation to provide stability and depth, particularly given Severino’s injury history. Despite Teheran’s recent struggles with injuries and inconsistency, including a season out of the majors in 2022, it’s evident that he might not have been the ideal choice for the Mets.
Coming off a disappointing 2023 season marked by setbacks from their high-risk players, the Mets aim to rebound, emphasizing the need for a dependable starter, even if their potential upside is moderate.
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