Mets discussing breaking the bank for pitcher who’s not deGrom

It’s easy to guess the New York Mets will break the bank for a pitcher this offseason. But who will that pitcher be?

With Jacob deGrom possibly on his way out, the New York Mets will seek another pitcher to pair with Max Scherzer. They could throw an equal amount of money at that pitcher to land their target.

According to MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are considering whether to pursue free agent Justin Verlander. He won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday, likely increasing his price tag.

Martino said the idea to sign Verlander to a contract like that of Max Scherzer had been something the Mets have been considering for some time. While he is the reigning Cy Young winner, Verlander will soon turn 40, and questions remain if he can remain healthy.

The health issue has been an important one for the Mets, who had been unable to field a healthy deGrom for an entire season and had health issues with Scherzer.

If Justin Verlander is not the Mets’ target, who else could they land?

Mets owner Steven Cohen and GM Billy Eppler have the money to spend on whomever they choose as they remain engaged with deGrom, who has reportedly been receiving attention from the Texas Rangers.

Martino believes the Mets could also pursue Japanese ace Kodai Senga, who is in the United States visiting clubs this week. Senga has spent his career with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. The righty had a career record of 87-44 with an ERA of 2.59. After the 2022 season, Senga decided to exercise his international free agent rights and go to the US to play in Major League Baseball.

Martino noted Eppler has experience scouting in Japan as he was the GM who signed Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels.

Whether it’s deGrom, Verlander, Senga, or one of the many pitching options available in free agency, the Mets will not shy in spending the money to get their next arm. The question remains how much they will break the bank in acquiring a much-needed arm to pair with Scherzer.