The New York Mets' recent outfield acquisition of Luis Robert Jr. has shifted the team's focus to addressing its pitching needs, according to a report by Will Sammon of The Athletic.
With the addition of a strong outfielder, the Mets can now concentrate on bolstering their pitching staff, which had been a point of concern for general manager David Stearns and his team throughout the offseason. Although Luis Robert Jr.'s arrival marks an upgrade in the outfield, Stearns' eyes are still firmly fixed on securing crucial starting pitcher additions.
The Mets have pursued Cody Bellinger's services for months, but ultimately chose to go in a different direction with Robert Jr.'s trade. Now, Sammon notes that Stearns is more likely to pursue pitchers via trades rather than signing them in free agency. A starter like Freddy Peralta, who will become a free agent after the season, remains on the Mets' radar.
The team's interest in Peralta has led some sources to speculate about potential trade options or short-term deals with mid-tier free agents such as Chris Bassitt and Jose Quintana. These pitchers would fit the bill for a relatively low salary, with neither expected to cost more than $10 million per year. The top available starter, Framber Valdez, also presents an attractive option due to his ability to induce ground balls, which complements the Mets' revamped defense.
With their outfield bolstered by Robert Jr., the Mets can now focus on addressing their pitching needs, and it remains to be seen how Stearns will navigate this process.
With the addition of a strong outfielder, the Mets can now concentrate on bolstering their pitching staff, which had been a point of concern for general manager David Stearns and his team throughout the offseason. Although Luis Robert Jr.'s arrival marks an upgrade in the outfield, Stearns' eyes are still firmly fixed on securing crucial starting pitcher additions.
The Mets have pursued Cody Bellinger's services for months, but ultimately chose to go in a different direction with Robert Jr.'s trade. Now, Sammon notes that Stearns is more likely to pursue pitchers via trades rather than signing them in free agency. A starter like Freddy Peralta, who will become a free agent after the season, remains on the Mets' radar.
The team's interest in Peralta has led some sources to speculate about potential trade options or short-term deals with mid-tier free agents such as Chris Bassitt and Jose Quintana. These pitchers would fit the bill for a relatively low salary, with neither expected to cost more than $10 million per year. The top available starter, Framber Valdez, also presents an attractive option due to his ability to induce ground balls, which complements the Mets' revamped defense.
With their outfield bolstered by Robert Jr., the Mets can now focus on addressing their pitching needs, and it remains to be seen how Stearns will navigate this process.
. They went for Luis Robert Jr. but still have their eyes on that starter 
. It's like they're saying 'we got you covered in the outfield, now let's get our pitching game strong 
'. And yeah, Freddy Peralta is a good target - he's been solid and won't break the bank 
. Hopefully Stearns can pull off some smart trades and we'll see a great season from the Mets this year! 
. They finally addressed that weak spot in the outfield and now they're focusing on getting some legit starters behind the rotation 
. Cody Bellinger would've been a great addition, but I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too 
. Now they just gotta find someone who's gonna step up and help them win 
. They need someone who's gonna make a real impact and put the Mets in contention 
and I started thinking about how much I love a good cat video break during sports news updates... but anyway, have you guys ever noticed how hard it is to find a decent pizza joint in NYC? I mean, I've had some great slices in my time, but there's always that one spot that just doesn't live up to the hype 
.
. But seriously, Luis Robert Jr. is a great addition to the Mets outfield, and it makes sense they'd focus on pitching now. David Stearns is trying to build a competitive team, not just throw money at players hoping they'll magically win games 
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