2 Mets needs that must be addressed at the Winter Meetings, 1 that can wait

Where will David Stearns set his priorities at the upcoming Winter Meetings?
New York Mets v Washington Nationals
New York Mets v Washington Nationals / Mark Brown/GettyImages
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2. The Mets need a reliable starting pitcher

Even though the Mets have added Severino, they simply do not have enough pitchers to make it through a full season. The rotation currently has one pitcher who can be relied upon to make at least 25 starts: Kodai Senga. Jose Quintana missed the first half of last season due to injury and the tandem of Joey Lucchesi and Tylor Megill are best suited for swing roles. 

Having a reliable starting pitcher does not mean having the star of free agency. Yes, the Mets will continue their pursuit of Yamamoto, but this is not a guarantee for the 2024 rotation. At the 2013 and 2015 Winter Meetings, Sandy Alderson left having signed the most reliable starting pitcher in recent memory: Bartolo Colon. He was a guarantee to make 30-plus starts a season and save the bullpen from having to get more than 9 outs a game. Though Big Sexy never had the flashiest of numbers, his starts were always quality and saved us from having to witness the hideous alternatives.

If David Stearns sticks to his word of rebuilding the rotation, he must strike early with a quality starting pitcher. With many already coming off the board, expect many rumors to surface on potential fits for the Mets. The expectation for this slot in the rotation should not be a contract worth $200 million- it simply must be a quality pitcher who can make his start every time out.