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Mets: Three one-year contracts the Mets should explore this offseason

By Ryan Schlachter |
Jul 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
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Is Corey Kluber worth a one-year contract with the New York Mets for 2021? (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Is Corey Kluber worth a one-year contract with the New York Mets for 2021? (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Whether looking to rebound from a bad year or injury, these three could end up with a one-year contract with the New York Mets.

As the New York Mets, led by their new owner Steve Cohen, prepare for one of the most important offseasons in recent memory, fans are eager to see what free agents will be getting big contracts to play in Flushing next season. And while the team is all but certain to dish out at least one big contract, there’s value that can be added to the roster through the avenue of one-year deals.

There’s no such thing as a bad one year deal, no matter how much Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello tried to convince you. In fact, considering how teams are looking to save money this offseason, we might see a massive influx in one-year deals this winter.

There’s also no doubt that the starting rotation will be an area of focus for Cohen and the front office as they look to build a rotation that consists of more than just Jacob deGrom. As they look to fill holes in their rotation, here are three pitchers that the Mets should consider signing to one-year deals to compete in 2021.

Corey Kluber

The pitcher with the highest potential return on the market is Corey Kluber. It certainly doesn’t bode well that Kluber has pitched 36.2 innings over the last two seasons combined, but before the injuries, Kluber was one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

Kluber suffered a broken arm after being hit by a line drive in 2019 and was limited to seven starts while compiling a 5.07 ERA. During a rehab start in the minor leagues, Kluber was taken out due to a strained left oblique, ultimately ending his 2019 season. Last season, in his first year with Texas, Kluber faced three batters and then was lost for the season after tearing his right shoulder.

Obviously, injuries, especially a torn muscle in his throwing shoulder, are not good signs for a pitcher who is entering into his late 30s. However, before his injuries, Kluber was as durable as they come; in the five previous seasons, he had eclipsed 200 innings pitched every season.

When healthy, there’s no doubt about what Kluber can do on the mound. From 2014-2018, he never struck out less than 222 batters. With five pitches in his arsenal, Kluber’s swing-and-miss stuff is something that the Mets would welcome in a heartbeat. With a career K% of 27 percent and extended time to recover, it’s not hard to imagine that a bounceback year would be possible.

Up until the injuries in 2019, Kluber had been a workhorse, racking up 200 innings pitched in each of the previous five seasons. The question obviously becomes how many innings do the Mets think they could get out of him coming off a torn shoulder, but if Kluber could stay healthy, a deal for 2021 could return huge dividends.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to walking Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to walking Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Charlie Morton

Considering he will be 37 on Opening Day next year, a multi-year deal wouldn’t be advised for Charlie Morton to begin with, but considering that there were grumblings that he wasn’t going to play beyond this season, the Mets would be smart to offer him a contract this winter. While in the industry have suggested that a team may be willing to go two years to sign him, if the Mets presented more money, it might entice Morton to come to Queens.

During the regular season, Morton’s 2020 numbers regressed, but his playoff performance suggests that he’s still effective enough to be productive. In 20 playoff innings, Morton only allowed six earned runs and his peripherals which were much closer to his numbers in 2018 and 2019. If you combined the 2020 regular and postseason numbers, Morton struck out just above 10 batters per nine innings and had a walk rate that was lower than his 2019 season.

Additionally, Morton’s BABIP suggests 2020 was an unluckier year than previous years. From 2017-2019, he didn’t produce a BABIP over .300, but in 2020 it jumped to .355, which suggests he could be poised to have a better 2021 season.

The Mets, looking to repair their rotation, could use the swing and miss stuff that Morton still possesses, even in his late 30s. Given that the Rays didn’t extend him, Morton will be a hot commodity on the market. Many teams looking for a low-risk deal will take a shot at signing him, but with Cohen expected to be aggressive in his spending, the Mets may be in a prime position to offer him the most money for a one year contract.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Mike Minor #23 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Mike Minor #23 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Mike Minor

Once a trade deadline possibility for the Mets, Mike Minor presents himself as a viable option in free agency to plug a hole in the rotation.

After three seasons of 25 or more starts with the Braves, he missed two whole seasons with left shoulder issues. However, his return in 2017 was stellar as he posted a 2.55 ERA with the Royals over 77 innings pitched as a reliever. It’s also important to note that after coming back from a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for two years, Minor made 28 and 32 starts, respectively, in 2018 & 2019.

Outside of the health issues in those two seasons, it’s been quite the seesaw for Minor’s ERA year-to-year. Take a look at his ERA each season since 2013:

‘13 – 3.21

‘14 – 4.77

‘17 – 2.55

‘18 – 4.18

‘19 – 3.59

‘20 – 5.56

If the trend continues for Minor, the Mets could be getting him on a good year, though that alone wouldn’t be a justifiable reason to sign him.

Instead, it would be important to note that outside of 2020, Minor was good for a minimum of 2.2 WAR over his previous three seasons, with his WAR being 4.1 in 2019. While Minor doesn’t elude bats at the rate of Kluber or Ray, he is effective in keeping runners off base. For his career, Minor has posted a WHIP of 1.22.

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At 32, Minor could be looking to secure a multiple-year deal, but given the market and a down year in 2020, the Mets could try to capitalize on the limited buyers on the market and lure Minor into a one year contract as they try to repair their rotation.

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