The New York Mets intend to keep their starting pitching rotation intact. The team's bread and butter last year was their pitching and after decling trades for both Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, the Mets intend to keep doing that for the remainder of the offseason. However, they will have to make moves if they want to keep the hitting going as both Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes are expected to head elsewhere in free agency.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN.com, Murphy has declined the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from the Mets. Instead, the infielder will hit the free agent market and test his value with other teams. According to Rubin, the Mets are not out of the running to bring Murphy back. With their pitching situation, they certainly offer the star a chance to keep winning, but the general consensus is that Murphy is headed elsewhere in free agency. In his place, top prospect Dilson Herrera is expected to take over second base.
The Mets are also not expected to bring back Cespedes who is hitting the open market as well. According to ESPN's Marly Rivera, Cespedes is looking for a six-year deal in free agency and the Mets are not looking to offer contract of that size. With that, the Mets must figure out how to bolster their lineup with their two biggest hitters heading elsewhere. So who do the Mets target for help?
Rubin breaks down the potential offseason moves the team could make. In place of Murphy, Ben Zobrist is expected to garner interest from the team. He would be the ideal replacement, but competition will be high for the reigning World Series champ. Dexter Fowler will be a favored option as he hits free agency with the Chicago Cubs. Will Venable will be a popular name the Mets will aim for. Denard Span could also be a popular name for the team to look at.
ESPN reports the Mets will target the outfield before they eye infield options. The team reportedly has confidence in Wilmer Flores, Herrera and Ruben Tejada. Adding in someone like Zobrist would be the ideal fit for the infield, but the team is more concerned with outfielders and big bats. Losing Murphy and Cespedes will be a big hit to the lineup, but as long as the pitching rotation stays in check, the Mets will be fine.
