The New York Mets ostensibly understand they must replenish their starting pitching if winning a World Series in 2025 is the ultimate goal. That's why they've reportedly inquired about Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks.
New York has "contacted the Pirates" about Keller, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ($). While there's no indication that the Bucs want to part ways with the veteran right-hander, they shopped him as recently as this past offseason. In other words, the Mets can make something happen if they're motivated to strike a deal.
However, landing Keller won't come cheap for the Mets for a multitude of reasons. Not only is he under club control for multiple years on a team-friendly contract and outkicking his average annual value, but additional suitors are lurking. Enticing Pittsburgh is the other half of the battle.
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The Mets may need to pay a premium if the Pirates are open to trading Mitch Keller
Keller is signed through 2028 on a five-year, $77 million pact. He's proving to be a bargain and is firmly in the prime of his career at 29, making him a long-term asset. The Mets will have to give up a respectable haul to acquire Pittsburgh's hard-throwing hurler, assuming the Pirates are willing to move on.
Hiles also cites a source saying the Pirates "really [believe] in their players," namely Keller. Many expect Pittsburgh to be sellers at the trade deadline, and he's been at the forefront of the buzz. Nonetheless, their internal confidence and a recent hot streak in which they've won six of their past seven games could change the calculus.
The Mets' rotation has been battered by injuries lately. Ace Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill have been out with a right hamstring strain and right elbow strain since mid-June, respectively. Griffin Canning is out for the season due to a torn Achilles; they've had brutal luck in the health department.
Even with reinforcements on the way in Senga and Sean Manaea's looming returns, New York could use another arm. Especially if they want to be a contender in October and get through a tough National League. Keller certainly checks that box, though the Mets may need to beat out the Chicago Cubs, and presumably others, to get him.
The Mets aren't the only ones checking in with Pirates about Mitch Keller
Per Hiles, Pittsburgh's NL Central rival Cubs were the "first" ones to express interest in Keller. Whether the Pirates can stomach the idea of aiding a divisional foe's World Series push remains unclear and possibly gives the Mets an advantage. But these presumably aren't the only two franchises that would take him off the Pirates' hands, setting New York up for a potential bidding war.
3-10 through 18 starts this season, Keller's win-loss record doesn't accurately depict how well he's fared on the mound. Pittsburgh is at or near the bottom in several key hitting metrics, struggling to provide run support for its talented pitching staff. Judging the one-time All-Star by his 3.64 ERA, 1.194 WHIP and strong 3.23 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 106.1 innings of work provides a more accurate assessment.