3) Luis Severino goes from the Mets to the Astros
The Astros are going to need some starting pitchers to remain competitive. Along with Kikuchi, Justin Verlander is headed to the open market. Are they really going to try to run it back with him again? In either case, Mets free agent Luis Severino should be a decent addition for them to consider.
Severino had a nice bounceback season in Queens on a one-year deal. He’ll undoubtedly look for a lengthier contract. Younger than Kikuchi and Verlander, the Astros would get bonus points if Severino continues to thrive away from the New York Yankees roster.
Odds of this happening: Decent but let’s wait until the Astros show their hand.
3) Hector Neris goes from the Astros to the Mets
They’re not all winners! Hector Neris was a Mets free agent target last offseason. He eventually landed with the Chicago Cubs but finished with the Astros. A combined 4.10 ERA doesn’t tell a very good story of how his season went, in particular a halfway decent 3.89 ERA performance with the Cubs. He practically spoiled their chances of making the playoffs with all of the blown saves.
Neris was terrific in 2023 with the Astros, pitching to a 1.71 ERA in 68.1 innings of work. Heading into his age 36 season, he’ll have some team looking to scratch out another productive season from the longtime Philadelphia Phillies reliever.
Odds of this happening: This seems too realistic of a reclamation project for the Mets to add to the roster only to prove us all wrong. Fortunately, he was probably too lousy last year to be on the wish list above anything more than a massive bargain.