MLB Rumors: New York Mets In "Active Talks" With At Least 4 Starting Pitchers

The loss of Jacob deGrom will be a big hit to the New York Mets' rotation, unquestionably. But there are plenty of pitchers on the free agent market to help try to plug the hole. And the latest report out of Queens is that the team is in "active talks" with at least four of them. 

SNY's Andy Martino says that in addition to top-of-the-line starters Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon, the Mets are also in talks with a couple from the next tier of free agents, Jameson Taillon and Andrew Heaney. 

The Mets spoke to Rodon via Zoom earlier this past week, and will circle back to him ASAP, says the report. 

Verlander, of course, is another intriguing possibility, as he would pretty much replace the ace-like production of deGrom, while he'd be reunited with his former Detroit Tigers' rotation-mate Max Scherzer. The two of them won an AL pennant together in the Motor City in 2012. And for now, it seems like the Astros are "out" on JV. 

Taillon, 31, is getting a ton of interest on the market, so the Mets will have some competition if they want to lure the ex-New York Yankee crosstown.

Heaney tantalized many with his career year this past season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3.10 ERA after a career of hovering around the 5.00 mark. He struck out a remarkable 13.6 batters per nine innings.  

The Mets' goal is to sign one of the 'Big Two' of Verlander or Rodon, plus a mid-rotation arm, of which Taillon or Heaney would fit the bill.

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