3 free agents the NY Mets shouldn't pass on again

During the 2024-25 offseason, the New York Mets have been one of the most active teams. They landed the biggest fish of the free agent market in Juan Soto, inking him to the largest contract in North American sports history. They also brought back Sean Manaea, the ace of the 2024 pitching staff. As well as several other complementary pieces. However, they still could use a few pieces to solidify the rosters. Roles that can be filled by players they have passed on in the past. So who are these passed-on players that can help the Mets in 2025?

1) Jack Flaherty

Early this week, we did an entire story about why Jack Flaherty should be someone the Mets bring in. Flaherty is a pitcher haven't passed on once, but twice in the last year. Last offseason, Flaherty was one of the guys the Mets were interested in giving a one-year prove-it deal to, ultimately passing and signing Manaea and Luis Severino. They also had the chance to acquire him at this year's trade deadline but passed again.

Flaherty made the most of his one-year deal. Between his time with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers he pitched to a 3.17 ERA over 162 innings with 194 strikeouts to 38 walks, a 1.068 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 127. He also played a role in the Dodgers' run to winning the World Series. Flaherty started Game 1 of the NLCS against the Mets and dominated. He went seven innings giving up zero runs and striking out six and allowing two hits and two walks. Setting the tone for the rest of the series.

Although 2024 was one of the best seasons of Flaherty's career, it's far from an outliner. Over his eight years in the bigs, he has an ERA of 3.63, with 942 strikeouts to 292 walks, a 1.182 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 112. These are the numbers of a solid mid-rotation guy. He's not gonna come in here and be the ace of the staff. However, he'll slot in nicely behind guys like Manaea and Kodi Senga.

Flaherty would bring stability to this Mets rotation. Although this rotation is better than it was in 2024, there are still questions on if a lot of those arms can repeat what they did last season. Flaherty is a guy that the Mets can rely on regardless of what everyone else does.