The New York Mets just suffered their first huge loss of the offseason, losing Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, they’ll need to make a move to at least replace his talent somewhere in their pitching staff.
While they don’t need to get a reliever yet, getting a stud starter works better at the moment. Luckily, Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes that the Mets are a top candidate to trade with their division rival, the Washington Nationals, for All-Star MacKenzie Gore.
MORE: Red Sox' interest in two-time All-Star Bo Bichette gets positive update at MLB Winter Meetings
“The Nationals are probably resistant to trading Gore within the division, especially to a team with the New York Mets' spending power. But it's a business, and the Nationals are thinking far down to road. Few contenders need a frontline ace more than the Mets. Gore's cheap (short-term) contract can only help, as the Mets would surely prefer to focus their financial resources on the likes of Cody Bellinger or Pete Alonso this winter. A top three of Gore, Nolan McLean and Kodai Senga, with Clarke Schmidt, Sean Manaea, Jonah Tong and others supplying depth, leaves the Mets in a good position,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Gore posted a 4.17 ERA with 185 Ks and a WHIP of 1.353 over 159 innings pitched. Gore was much better in the first half, though, with an ERA of 3.08 and 138 strikeouts.
Gore also comes at a low cost, as he still has two years left on his contract. With that in mind, the Mets can go find their stud reliever or another starter using the money they would have paid Diaz.
Hopefully, the Mets make this move to give their fanbase some hope. Otherwise, what seemed to be a World Series lock of a roster might turn into the most expensive playoff hopeful ever.
MORE MLB NEWS
Cubs predicted to trade for $6.5 million All-Star ace to create 1-2 punch with Shota Imanaga
Red Sox set to meet with $54 million five-time All-Star Pete Alonso during Winter Meetings