The New York Mets are making waves this offseason, aggressively rebuilding their starting rotation. Under the leadership of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, the Mets have secured Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, and Clay Holmes on multi-year deals and added Griffin Canning on a one-year contract. Now, rumors are swirling about a potential blockbuster trade for Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López, signaling the Mets’ commitment to solidifying their pitching staff.
Despite these notable acquisitions, the rotation still faces some uncertainties. Frankie Montas, sidelined for nearly all of 2023 due to injury, posted a 4.84 ERA across 150 2/3 innings in 2024. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes, a two-time All-Star in the past three seasons, has been used exclusively as a reliever since 2019. A trade for López could provide the Mets with a reliable ace to anchor the rotation alongside Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. López’s career numbers, including a 3.57 ERA over 476 2/3 innings from 2021 to 2023, make him a valuable target despite a slightly elevated 4.08 ERA in 185 1/3 innings during 2024.
To acquire López, the Mets may need to part with a significant package. Reports suggest the Twins could demand top prospects such as Jett Williams and Kevin Parada, ranked second and third in the Mets’ system per MLB.com. However, including left-hander David Peterson and catcher Christian Vázquez in the deal might allow New York to retain its top prospect, right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat.
López, currently in the midst of a four-year, $73.5 million contract, offers financial predictability with an annual salary of $21.75 million from 2025 to 2027. This stability makes him an even more attractive option for a Mets team looking to build a competitive and consistent rotation.
Adding Pablo López to the mix would establish a formidable trio at the top of the Mets’ rotation, setting the stage for a stronger postseason push. While the price tag in prospects and players may be steep, the potential rewards could be well worth the investment as New York aims to reclaim its status as a National League powerhouse.
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