5 NY Mets roster additions every fan should have on their holiday wish list

3) Sign a middle or back-end starter

The New York Mets do not have a solid core of starting pitchers, and their rotation depth remains uncertain. Adding a reliable mid-rotation starter would enhance the team's overall pitching staff, mitigating the potential impact of injuries to key players and increasing their chances of contending for a World Series title.

Last season, David Stearns' experiment of using upside pitchers on short-term contracts to boost his stuff through the team's pitching lab paid off. Pitchers such as Sean Manaea and Luis Severino played their best games in years in the Mets' rotation.

However, Stearns' recent moves have raised questions about the team's pitching strategy. Acquiring Frankie Montas, who has struggled with inefficiency, and converting elite reliever Clay Holmes into a starter are unconventional choices. Additionally, the rotation includes Kodai Senga, who had an inconsistent return last season, along with David Peterson and a group of pitchers such as Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, and Jose Butto, who are still developing.

Despite this, pursuing an elite pitcher on a long-term contract is a huge risk in today's baseball where history, increasing velocity, and today's stuff limit the health and long-term tenure of these players. Therefore, adding to Stearns' strategy, the addition of a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher looks like a better way to round out the talent on the Mets' pitching staff and allows for financial and roster flexibility in the long run.

Given these circumstances, Walker Buehler emerges as a top offseason target for the Mets. While his recent injury history is concerning, his pre-injury dominance makes him an intriguing proposition.

Buehler returned from his second career Tommy John surgery in 2024 and put together an unimpressive season with a 5.38 ERA, a drop in his K%, and an increase in his BB%. Still, Buehler's case is also intriguing because his 2024 regular season performance could be entirely explained by an adaptation problem after his two surgeries.

Buehler's situation bears striking similarities to the Mets' recent experience with Luis Severino. Both pitchers maintain impressive fastball velocity, averaging around 95 mph. However, their effectiveness has waned, as evidenced by Buehler's .696 slugging allowed, comparable to Severino's .692 in 2023. To revitalize Buehler's performance, the Mets should prioritize mechanical adjustments and a strategic shift in his pitch usage.

Buehler is reportedly seeking a two-year deal with a player option after the first year, similar to Sean Manaea's contract. This structure would allow him to re-establish his market value in 2025 and aim for a long-term deal in the following offseason. Such a deal would mitigate the risk for the Mets, while potentially yielding a performance comparable to Luis Severino's 2023 season, significantly bolstering their rotation.

Write this one in bold on your wish list because after signing Griffin Canning, it's a lot less likely.