While the New York Mets are reportedly among the top contenders for Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, if they fail in their pursuit there are still quite a few impact options available in the trade and free agent markets.
Now that two-time American League MVP Shohei Ohtani is off the market, it seems that Orix Buffaloes star Yoshinobu Yamamoto has become the most sought-after player in the sport. And it is understandable since he is already a three-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP and is only 25 years old.
Even before the 2023 MLB season ended, the New York Mets have been in hot pursuit of Yamamoto. They scouted him several months ago, and the team’s owner and new president of baseball operations recently traveled to Japan to meet him and show how serious their interest is.
However, while Steve Cohen is the richest owner in baseball and can offer the biggest deal, there is serious competition from legendary — and also wealthy — franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. That is why there is a real chance the Mets fail to sign the Japanese ace.
Over the weekend, The Athletic Mets reporter Will Sammon claimed that it is Yamamoto or bust approach for the organization and they won’t necessarily throw a huge amount of money at other elite pitchers in free agency. With that in mind, let’s look at five starters they could focus on in trades or the free-agent market if they fail to land their top target.
5 New York Mets backup options if Yoshinobu Yamamoto chase fails
Corbin Burnes
There have been rumblings for weeks that Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes could be available. The Mets have a clear path to start discussions since new president David Stearns previously held the same job with Milwaukee. Burns is in the final year of his contract and New York also has a star in the last year of his rookie deal in slugger Pete Alonso.
The Brewers reportedly checked on Alonso’s availability last season, so maybe a swap of pitching for hitting that centered on the two impending free agents would make sense for both teams heading into 2024.
Related: New York Mets owner shows how serious he is about signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto with rare maneuver
Shota Imanaga
Along with Yamamoto, his World Baseball Classic teammate Shota Imanaga is also available on this year’s free agent market. He performed similarly to countryman Kodai Senga during his career in Japan and Mets fans are well aware of the surprise impact Senga made for them during his debut season in 2023.
Imanaga would also come at a similar price as Senga and that would be very appealing to an organization in need of several meaningful additions to the starting staff.
Dylan Cease
White Sox ace Dylan Cease is another rising star pitcher who reportedly could be acquired in a trade. However, unlike Burnes, he has two years of arbitration left and would come at a higher price. While it could mean trading away one of the elite prospects they acquired last year, landing Cease would be a massive addition and give them a legit ace pitcher with an upside in 2024.
Clayton Kershaw
If the Mets lose Yamamoto to the Dodgers, luring away one of the greatest pitchers in LA history, Clayton Kershaw, could be a good short-term option to bolster the starting rotation. There are certainly injury concerns for the 10-time All-Star, however, he is still pitching at a high level when he does take the mound and he could be had for an affordable rate compared to some of the contracts top-line pitchers will get this offseason.
Blake Snell
While it is unlikely, Cohen could be emotionally affected by trying so hard and failing for Yamamoto. That could motivate the billionaire to make up for the disappointment by signing the next-best pitcher on this year’s market, Blake Snell.
While he doesn’t have many prime years left, there is no denying how impactful his addition would be for next season and it surely would help New York be even more competitive in a tough NL East.