3 moves the Mets must make with Jacob deGrom gone

3) The Mets must acquire a mid-rotation level pitcher

The work doesn't stop after signing an ace. The Mets cannot rely on Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill to be their 3-5 in the rotation. Two of the three is fine, but more than that is not.

With that in mind, the Mets need a reliable third starter. Chris Bassitt served that role very admirably in 2022 and was one of the best third starters in the game. He consistently gave the Mets six or more innings allowing three runs or fewer, giving them a chance to win virtually every time out.

I'd love to have Bassitt back, and the Mets are reportedly interested in bringing him back. Kodai Senga is another name I'd be very fine with, and is a player the Mets have shown interest in.

Other than those two, the market lacks many quality options. They could bring back Taijuan Walker or sign someone like Jameson Taillon or Jose Quintana, but those pitchers would be in the next tier to me. They're closer to Carrasco and Peterson's level than Bassitt or Senga's.

Again, this need can be filled in a trade, but it's hard to know who's available. The Mets also don't have crazy prospect depth to do a big trade like this. It takes a lot to acquire a good starting pitcher.

Whoever it is, the Mets must sign another starter to round out the rotation. Tylor Megill has been too inconsistent to be handed a starter role, both in production and just staying on the field.