MLB Rumors: New York Mets Target Another Former Yankees Player, As Bullpen Needs Take Top Priority

The New York Mets strategy is quite simple – Go for the Yankees! After having already signed two former Pinstripes, the Mets didn’t have their fill. So the Queens’ side was back in the market, looking for another Yankee to come to their fold. If one goes by the reports, they may have already found their Amazin’ next target.

This is turning out to be a surprising offseason by the Mets. Like previous years, they’ve made quite a few signings. But what separates this offseason from last year’s is the complete lack of blockbuster signings. The focus has clearly shifted to short-term signings, but there could be a method to this madness.

The New York Mets find answers right across the city

New York is big! So big that apparently, the Mets don’t even have to focus anywhere else to get the players they need. They can just look at who has left the Yankees and target them. They’re just doing that. At least it looks like this. Now the New York Post has revealed that the Amazin’ Mets are going after the former reliever of the Bombers – Wandy Peralta. 

If things fall into place, this would be the third pitching signing of the Mets. After Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, the Mets, adding another reliever to their roster, tell a big story. Maybe the Mets know their lineup isn’t as strong as they hoped and strengthening the bullpen ensures that the depth will cover for the relative lack of depth.

Peralta went 4-2 in 2023 with an ERA of 2.83. With 51 strikeouts, the 32-year-old had a relatively good season in a struggling Yankees team. Perhaps that’s what the Mets are counting on here. Even though their focus is on 2025, the Mets have made it clear that they’re not completely writing off 2024. They still wish to contend, so having so much depth in the bullpen will certainly help.

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Especially as the Mets’ links with free-agent pitchers have slowly declined. Now with Peralta’s potential signing, it’s looking more and more certain that the Mets aren’t interested in spending huge on a single player this offseason.

The short-term strategy of the Queens side

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the last time the Mets looked interested in giving a massive contract to any player. Ever since then, they’ve gone for low-risk, high-reward signings. Though there are feeble links with Shota Imanaga, there’s not much clarity about how those talks will shape up. Apart from Imanaga, the list looks rather empty.

It’s been clear that the Mets are focusing more on 2025 and are just covering gaps this year. With one to two-year contracts, the Queens’ side has just done enough to ensure they remain competitive without overexerting their already hefty payroll. Still, it’s interesting how they’re just raiding the Yankees alumni section for some reason. 

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