10 best Mets free agent targets to pursue this offseason

2) NY Mets free agent targets to pursue: Jacob deGrom

The reason I have Jacob deGrom at number three instead of number one is because of the amount of pitchers the Mets can choose from to replace him if he left. Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon are both great options in free agency. There's also someone like Shane Bieber or Shohei Ohtani that the Mets can pursue in a trade.

With that being said, the ideal situation is for the Mets and deGrom to find a way for this Mets legend to return to Flushing to finish out his career.

deGrom has struggled to stay on the field in each of his last two seasons. He was shut down after the all-star break in 2021 after posting a microscopic 1.08 ERA in 15 starts. He then was hurt again in Spring Training and did not return until August.

He made 12 starts for the Mets this season including one postseason start. deGrom didn't look quite as dominant as he had last season but he was still one of the better pitchers in the game, striking out 102 batters in 64.1 innings pitched (14.3 K/9) while walking just eight batters (1.1 BB/9).

I have no idea what kind of contract deGrom will get. He's likely going to demand an AAV greater than the $43.3 million Max Scherzer got. Steve Cohen has the money and should give that to him. The only thing is I wouldn't give him more than three or maybe four guaranteed years. He's 35 with an injury history. If teams are offering more than that, the Mets can find another elite option.