Mets rumors: Checking in on free agents Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel

New York Mets rumors season should have ended weeks ago. However, with Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel still available, the team has reportedly checked in with both.

The 2019 MLB season is underway and throughout the winter it didn’t look like the New York Mets had a puncher’s chance or even much interest in signing free agents Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. Once they landed Edwin Diaz in the trades with the Seattle Mariners, Kimbrel seemed unlikely. Keuchel always looked like a potential upgrade over Jason Vargas, but there never seemed to be an abundance of Mets rumors to suggest they were considering him.

Three games into the MLB season, these two are still jobless. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, recent Mets rumors have indicated the team has at least checked in on them.

Was it a “hey buddy, how ya doing?” type of check-in or something more serious? Super-agent Scott Boras doesn’t have a good relationship with the Mets or their current general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen. Then again, he’s at the mercy of any team with an opening.

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Boras didn’t have a spectacular offseason. Bryce Harper’s deal, while record-setting at the time, didn’t compare to what Mike Trout will earn from the Los Angeles Angels. In fact, his AAV is less than Yoenis Cespedes and Jacob deGrom. Worse, though, is the fact that his former Cy Young-winning client and one of baseball’s elite closers are free agents with the season already a full series in.

Offseason Mets rumors linked them to a variety of players. From a potential blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Indians to every catcher and center fielder in the free agent market, the blue and orange baseball squad seemed prepared to turn over every stone in order to build a contender. They certainly did improve the roster. Could it be possible that they bolster it even more?

Vargas will make his Mets’ debut on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins down in South Florida. I still have a hard time believing they will move on from him unless his performance in 2019 warrants it. They do have more options in the minor leagues than they did last year. None compare to what Keuchel would bring the Mets.

Kimbrel is also an interesting match for the Mets considering the presence of Diaz. You could easily argue the one currently wear a Mets’ uniform is the superior closer. Kimbrel would need to accept a lesser role as a setup man. Considering the Milwaukee Brewers just lost their closer Corey Knebel to Tommy John Surgery and they were already linked to Kimbrel, I think he’s best for Beer Country.

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I thought for sure Mets rumors were dead for at least a couple of months. An offseason like none before has extended the Hot Stove into the regular season. Keuchel and Kimbrel have to find homes at some point. If the Mets are the only ones calling, they may soon need to answer.