Perfect fits for 5 remaining MLB free agents, including Yasiel Puig

Danny Salazar — New York Mets

Salazar is a gamble due to his recent injuries over the last two years. He made just one start in 2019 after recovering from shoulder surgery, just to hurt his groin, and spend the rest of the year on the Injured List. While Jason Vargas is still available, his relationship with the Mets seem irreparable after he got into an altercation with a reporter in Wrigley Field that almost turned physical.

Despite the injury concerns, Salazar is still the best pitcher on the market. We are not having this conversation if Noah Syndergaard didn’t undergo Tommy John surgery on what would have been Opening Day, and while the Mets do have five solid starters, their backup plans are scarce. Seth Lugo has become arguably their best reliever, and Corey Oswalt and Walker Lockett just aren’t good.

Oswalt hasn’t made a start since 2018, while making just two big league appearances last year. In Lockett’s four starts last year, he owned a 7.79 ERA — at least it was better than his 10.13 ERA as a reliever.

The Mets are contenders again after an amazing 46-26 second half last year. But Syndergaard’s injury is a big blow, and they cannot afford any further injury to their rotation.