5 moves the NY Mets should make if they aren’t willing to go beyond 3 years

A three-year limit seems to be the hold up for the New York Mets on reuniting with Edwin Diaz. If they’re going to approach the rest of the offseason with the same limitation, we can probably mark off a few players from coming to Queens.

Is it doable to build a competitive team without handing anyone a deal of four or more years? They might need to hope someone settles for a 2025 Pete Alonso/Alex Bregman speciality with a high AAV and opt out after one year.

If the Mets are holding steady on a limit of no more than 3 years, they have five moves to make.

1) Sign Michael King

Michael King is one of the better available starting pitchers, but isn’t expected to break the bank. A three-year deal isn’t unreasonable. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he’d get four years at $80 million. Up the AAV and perhaps King becomes a guy who gets an opt out after a year or two. After all, this is someone who has limited experience as a starter.

King does come with a qualifying offer penalty which begs the added questions of whether or not he’s worth the lost draft picks, in particular if it means he could be gone in one season. For that reason, the Mets should probably avoid giving King the power after only one year. Let them control his destiny instead.

An alternative who might suffice and be more in line for a deal of 3 years or less is Chris Bassitt. Unsigned and no longer a match to return to the Toronto Blue Jays, he was predicted by MLB Trade Rumors to get a two-year contract worth $38 million. It fits more perfectly into the Mets’ short-term outlook.

King still feels like the better target. The loss of draft picks will hurt, but a championship cures all.