LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The New York Mets’ reluctance to offer multi-year contracts and their young pitching depth are working against them in their quest for a veteran pitcher.
“We’d be hesitant to give a multi-year contract, but doesn’t mean we wouldn’t,’’ Alderson said.
WHEELER: The model route to the majors.
However, any free agent only hears the first part of that statement.
The Mets are high on their young pitching talent of Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero, and Alderson cited those arms for the reason to be cautious in offering multiple years.
“I think the type of talent we have coming. That’s the primary consideration,’’ Alderson said of what’s holding him back in making a major signing.
That scenario works both ways, as a veteran pitcher could be reluctant to sign on for a job that might disappear after three months.
Alderson said the Mets are interested in bringing back Daisuke Matsuzaka, but nothing is imminent on that front. Apparently, Aaron Harang is not an option to bring back.
“We haven’t had any real dialog yet,’’ Alderson said of Matsuzaka. “But, Dice-K is on our list.’’
In each of the last two years the Mets took their time in promoting Matt Harvey and Wheeler to the major leagues, and Alderson doesn’t plan to deviate from that approach now.
“I think we have the possibility of pushing guys a little harder,’’ Alderson said. “But, we’d ideally we’d like to follow that prior approach. It’s not an unusual path. … Ideally, we’d like to ease guys in, but these aren’t ideal times.’’
However, there are such things, as the elbow injury to Harvey, that makes the desired path not possible.
Alderson doesn’t have to look any further than Harvey’s surgically-repaired elbow to know even the best plans can change.
ON DECK: Jenrry Mejia not close to being ready.
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