Mets predicted to make blockbuster trade for $11.7M Cy Young winner, former Rookie of the Year

Hunter Cookston

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Mets predicted to make blockbuster trade for $11.7M Cy Young winner, former Rookie of the Year image

The New York Mets have had quite the offseason so far following the conclusion of the World Series. After one of the most infamous collapses in MLB history, they know they’ll need to make some noise in free agency. However, the team has already lost two coaches to their NL East rival, the Atlanta Braves.

“Braves hired Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach. Hefner, 39, spent past 6 seasons with Mets, who had MLB's 6th-best ERA in that span. They also hired Antoan Richardson, 42, as 1st-base coach. He spent past 2 seasons in that role with Mets and was also OF & baserunning instructor,” The Athletic’s David O’Brien wrote.

Starting pitching will be a key focus for the Mets this offseason. One name drawing attention on the trade market is starter Kodai Senga.

“Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has already garnered trade interest from multiple clubs, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. The Mets aren’t known to be outright shopping the 2023 Rookie of the Year runner-up, but they’ve at least held discussions as they’ve been approached by interested teams,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams wrote.

With Senga potentially on the move, Fox Sports suggests the Mets could go all-in for Paul Skenes.

“That said, if half the sport is going after Skenes in a trade beforehand (for instance, this offseason), the Mets have the luxury of most of their significant transactions of late having been free-agent signings, rather than trades. This means that they're in position to drain the top of their farm system for a player they deem worth doing so; Skenes certainly fits the bill,” Fox Sports wrote. “The Mets, who missed the playoffs last season, need a Cy Young-caliber arm to rise to contention and stay there for the long haul. Acquiring a 23-year-old who already has a case for being the best pitcher in the game and is nowhere near his prime would certainly be one effective way to do so.”

Skenes just won his first Cy Young Award, and it likely won’t be his last. He will command a hefty contract whenever he reaches free agency, and if MLB does not implement a salary cap, this would be an easy acquisition for the Mets.

Skenes is only going to improve with time. His fastball, combined with his other pitches, is simply unfair. Acquiring Skenes would give the Mets an ace for the next decade.

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Contributing writer

Contributing Writer