The plan after losing Jacob deGrom to the Rangers

That’s not rain outside today. This is New York Mets fans reacting to the news that Jacob deGrom will not suit up for the blue and orange in 2023. He’s joining the Texas Rangers. Only a few hours, Andy Martino shared some Mets rumors suggesting what we can expect after.

According to Martino, the Mets are now looking to acquire one ace and one mid-rotation arm. The two they consider aces are Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon. The mid-rotation is a bit deeper with Taijuan Walker included in the group as well. Curiously, where’s Chris Bassitt?

Anyway, these Mets rumors should calm fans down a little bit. It’s the fact that the homegrown and beloved deGrom is gone with no answer, only solutions, which has us all hopeful the front office does the deed.

Mets rumors: Who is most likely to sign with the Amazins?

Verlander seems bound for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Carlos Rodon appears to be the exact fit for the Mets. He’ll have a much lower AAV which is something Billy Eppler seems to have an interest in handing out. He’s also much younger than Verlander. It would be surprising at this point if Eppler doesn’t sign at least one of them. Mets rumors have pointed more toward deGrom and Rodon as the favorites. Verlander is a temporary move for a team looking further down the line.

From the second class, all bets are off. There are some underwhelming options in there. Kodai Senga is by far the most intriguing yet we know the littlest about what he’d do in MLB. Rodon’s presence shouldn’t affect whether or not the mid-tier option they sign is a lefty so maybe we’ll all be cheering on Andrew Heaney season to stay healthy and productive.

Fitting into long-term success, the second-tier of pitchers mention in these latest Mets rumors would point away from Kyle Gibson and Jose Quintana. Gibson is particularly an unsatisfying possibility. Quintana was at least good for two different teams in 2022.

Familiarity with Walker might have the Mets ending up with him, but that would probably be way down the road. Give me Rodon and Senga. I’m willing to see what’s behind the door of the latter.