5 best Mets starting pitcher free agent targets who won't cost $100 million

1) Nathan Eovaldi

In a David Stearns system where pitchers with short contracts and modest pay are sought for a potential upside in their delivery as a pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi emerges as an ideal option for the Mets. The right-hander has been one of the most consistent pitchers in recent years due to his command and is one of the few pitchers at a level close to the top of this free agency class who does not have the restriction of a qualified offer tied to him, which is a positive aspect in the development of any team's farm system due to draft picks compensation tied to the QO.

Eovaldi's health has always been a concern. However, he achieved more than 170 innings in 2024, which puts him in a good position compared to the league average. Likewise, Eovaldi improved his command by reducing his walks compared to 2023, something that had been a negative issue in his performance, and improved his ability to produce swings misses, and strikeouts.

Eovaldi's fastball remains a high-velocity pitch averaging 95.4 mph last season, and his splitter continues to induce an elite swing-and-miss rate of around 37%. Three of this pitcher's four most-used pitches allowed less than a .400 xSLG and averaged an opposition batting average below .210.

The veteran came out of a $20 million player option for the 2025 season to get a similar amount of money in annual terms but with the possibility of getting a multi-year contract. Eovaldi will turn 35 next February, so his aspirations could reach a contract for two seasons and $21 to 22 million per year, which would be ideal for the Mets in this system of getting quality pitchers with the least financial commitment possible, especially with the rise of injuries in starting pitchers and the limitations of innings to pitch for young pitchers.