2 recent MLB transactions we wish the Mets were involved in, 2 we're glad they didn't touch

It’s MLB rumors season and the New York Mets have been caught sitting on the sidelines for most of it. The roster is in need of some major upgrades all over. In the last few days, several notable moves have taken place that could have actually involved the Mets.

Which two are we envious of and which other pair are we glad the Mets watched from afar?

We wish the Mets signed Lucas Giolito

Imagine getting worked up over the Mets failing to sign Lucas Giolito. It's how many fans felt when they saw him land with the Boston Red Sox. If you're one of those who tweeted or ranted about it on any social media platform, we get it.

None of the free agent pitchers made more sense for the Mets than Giolito. A rebound candidate for sure and proven eater of innings, a short commitment matched perfectly with the plan for 2024. Now the Mets are left with lesser options on the same tier. Many are far less proven or require a contract that lasts a few more years than the possible two he got from Boston.

Giolito wouldn’t have guaranteed the Mets are contenders, but in sticking with the theme of guys who could outperform their contracts, he was the one to land. Hopefully for the sake of curiosity or hopefully not for the sake of our sanity we find out a little more as to why Giolito ended up in Boston instead. Was it us or was it him?

Conveniently, we don’t need to leave Boston to find a move we’re glad the Mets didn’t make.

We're glad the Mets didn't put their trust in Chris Sale

We sure are glad the Mets didn't make the trade the Atlanta Braves did. Infield prospect Vaughn Grissom was sent by the Braves to the Red Sox for Chris Sale. A pitcher well past his prime and still getting laid loads of cash, it's the type of trade that only Brodie Van Wagenen wouldn't hesitate to execute. He would have probably taken on more of the money or given up whichever of the Mets prospects turns into the best one in the future.

This would have been a headlining move for the Mets offseason if they did add Sale, but not an entirely exciting one. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy in recent years. Last season, logging 20 starts for the first time since 2019, he wasn’t even very good. At 6-5 with a 4.30 ERA, he was much more hittable despite decent numbers elsewhere on his stat ledger.

The Braves will only pay $10.5 million of Sale’s salary which is a huge bargain considering how much more so many of the free agent starters are getting. It’s close to half what Boston will pay Giolito.

For a team like the Braves, I suppose this can make sense. For the Mets, it wouldn’t have been the solution they’re looking for.

We wish the Mets signed Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Eh, you might take or leave this move. However, in signing Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the Mets would have at least addressed one of their bigger needs at the moment. He ended up receiving a three-year deal worth $42 million from the Arizona Diamondbacks to return to the desert. Too long? Too much? The desire to make this signing comes down to the lack of other moves the Mets have made.

David Stearns has a chance to make an even better move in left field. With each passing day, the doubts do grow. Gurriel wouldn’t have even signaled the end of the shopping. The Mets could have just as easily signed Justin Turner or any of the corner outfield DH targets available such as Jorge Soler or Teoscar Hernandez. Gurriel would’ve been the starting left fielder. Anyone else takes on the DH role.

The silence in the outfield market has taken over this ball club. Rumors of them looking into a full-time DH and the continued pressure to add a starting pitcher have taken over. What about the addition of an outfielder? Are we really going to get Tyrone Taylor on Opening Day?

For a year, the Toronto Blue Jays will have Kevin Kiermaier in center field at $10.5 million. A bit pricy for a guy oft-injured with a bat that doesn’t always match his defensive performance, perhaps you would have rather seen the Mets sign him. Whichever it is, the exhaustion of looking at Mets depth charts with DJ Stewart locked in has become too much to bear any longer.

Gurriel would have given some reprieve from thoughts of an inferior ball club.