By Zach PressnellShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe New York Mets had a huge offseason last winter, but they whiffed on the postseason this year. The Cincinnati Reds made the postseason while the billion-dollar Mets didn't.
As a result, the Mets need to be aggressive in the coming months if they want to avoid repeating this same disappointment next year. The Mets need to land a star pitcher or two this winter to join their starting rotation.
The Athletic's Andy McCullough recently projected the Mets would sign international superstar pitcher Tatsuya Imai in free agency this winter. Jim Bowden of The Athletic also projected Imai would sign a massive $154 million deal this offseason.
..."In the end, I suspect the Mets and Pete Alonso will find their way back to each other once again this winter, with a contract similar to the one from which Alonso just opted out," McCullough wrote. "And I also suspect that president of baseball operations David Stearns will continue to use the trade market to improve his team’s defense, as he did by swapping outfielder Brandon Nimmo for second baseman Marcus Semien.
"Another way to improve run prevention: the acquisition of better pitching. Imai is entering his age-28 season, and demonstrated improved command during his final season in Nippon Professional Baseball."
Imai recently vowed to bring down the Los Angeles Dodgers, which should be music to baseball fans' ears. Some believed that he was likely going to sign with the Dodgers, but he's seemingly crossed them off his list.
As a result, the Mets could win the bidding war for the Japanese superstar. The righty is one of the better international free agents over the last few years and would be a very welcome addition in Queens.
More MLB: Phillies Predicted To Re-Sign $160 Million Slugger After MVP-Caliber Season
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
MLBWould Blue Jays Risk Overspending To Bring In Two-Time All-Star?3 min read
MLBYankees Predicted To Re-Sign $10 Million All-Star After Disastrous Season2 min read
MLBBraves Bringing Back 31-Year-Old Reliever Despite Struggles2 min read
MLBMets GM Sends Bold 3-Word Message After Shocking Marcus Semien Trade2 min read
MLBPhillies Projected To Win $160 Million Free Agency Sweepstakes For Slugger2 min read
MLBRed Sox Projected To Poach $182 Million Slugger From Mets In Free Agency2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
WorldTrump Peace Plan: Ukraine Agrees To ‘Core Terms’, Russia Launches Major Attack—Live Updates3 min read
NewsTrump May Defeat Maduro Without Battle and Lose War in Venezuela14 min read
Live BlogThanksgiving Travel Live Updates: Winter Storm Threatens Record Travel, Flight Tracker, Forecasts2 min read
NewsDonald Trump Comments on His Weight During Turkey Pardon5 min read
PoliticsWhite House Reacts to Report of Trump Considering Kash Patel’s Ousting2 min read
NewsBlack Friday Spending to Fall for First Time in Years5 min readTrending
National Weather ServiceWinter Storm Alert Issued as 12 Inches of Snow Set To Hit3 min read
MoneyNew ‘Cash Law’ Could Change Grocery Store Rules3 min read
Higher EducationFull List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin8 min read
SnowfallWinter Storm Warning Issued As 25 Inches of Snow To Strike5 min read
LawsuitCampbell’s Soup VP Mocks ‘Poor People’ Who Buy Its Food in Secret Recording6 min readOpinion
OpinionGOP Rep.: The U.S. Must Close Critical AI Chip Export Loophole Exploited by China | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAgriculture Secretary: Giving Thanks to the American Farmer This Thanksgiving | Opinion4 min read
OpinionFormer White House Middle East Envoy: What We Keep Getting Wrong About the UAE and Sudan | Opinion5 min read
OpinionGovernment-Mandated Affordability—Music to Consumer Ears | Opinion6 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Ukraine Peace Plan Edition2 min read
