3 free agents who've already signed the NY Mets will regret missing out on

2) Walker Buehler

The Mets went into the off-season needing some help in the rotation. They’ve brought in some reinforcements and re-signed Sean Manaea. But they were connected for a former Cy Young candidate earlier this offseason, that being Walker Buehler. Buehler hasn’t been consistently good since 2021, but they signed alternatives who are just as much, if not a larger risk.

Buehler made his return to the mound in 2024 after 2022 Tommy John surgery. The results weren’t pretty, as Buehler posted a 5.38 ERA, 5.54 FIP, and 1.53 WHIP. He only struck out 18.6% of batters with a walk rate of 8.1%. Home runs were a massive issue for Buehler, with a 1.91 HR/9 rate. He also only pitched a total of 75.1 innings.

Despite that horrible home run rate, Buehler wasn’t hit very hard. He had an 88.3 MPH exit velocity and a 6.9% barrel percentage, both of which were slightly above league average. Buehler regained most of his velocity, averaging out at 95 MPH (he averaged out at 95.5 MPH in 2021). He also missed a portion of the year due to a hip injury, so even when he was able to take the mound, he wasn’t at 100% just yet.

The Mets would be taking a gamble on Buehler, but they’re already taking a similar gamble with Frankie Montas. But Montas has a lower ceiling than Buehler does. It’s not as if they’re paying Montas significantly less. He signed for $17 million, while Buehler signed for $21.05 million. They’re taking an even bigger risk by signing Clay Holmes and slotting him into the back of the rotation.