When free agency officially kicked off last winter, the Mets’ starting rotation was quite empty. Max Scherzer was the only veteran guaranteed to be back in 2023. Carlos Carrasco could’ve become a free agent, but New York decided to exercise his $14 million team option instead.
It made sense from a logistical standpoint. We know Steve Cohen doesn’t mind spending money, so Carrasco’s price point wasn’t an issue. Anything can happen in free agency, and while the Mets hoped to re-stock the rotation, they needed a little insurance. In a worst-case scenario, having a veteran right-hander who just won 15 games with a 3.