Mets predicted to sign $61 million All-Star, former Cy Young candidate to round out Freddy Peralta-led rotation, break division rivals' hearts

Opening Day is here, and the New York Mets are currently facing off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, trying to go for their first win of the season. However, just because the season started doesn’t mean they shouldn’t still be trying to improve their roster. 

FanSided’s Austin Owens believes so as well, and predicts the Mets will sign another All-Star pitcher to round out the starting rotation in Lucas Giolito. Giolito has also been requested by fans of a division rival in the Atlanta Braves, so it would break their hearts if New York took him away.

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“Atlanta Braves fans are begging for their team to make a move to improve an injury-ridden starting rotation. The good news for Atlanta is that Lucas Giolito is still looking for a job. The bad news is that signing Giolito would cost money and the Braves tend to pinch pennies (regardless of the small value possess)...Instead, an NL East division foe of the Braves could be a realistic landing spot for Giolito. The New York Mets feel like a team that could use a veteran presence in the middle of their rotation. The Mets have a strong offense led by slugger Juan Soto and could be looking for an arm to simply keep them in games. Being in a bigger market, it is also more likely the Mets can afford to overpay for Giolito if needed, especially after the departure of Pete Alonso. Giolito is a high-risk, high-reward free agent and the Mets feel like the squad to roll the dice on him,” Owens wrote.

This past season, Giolito posted a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, 121 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.290 over 145 innings pitched. Add him with Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga, and the Mets have a rotation that’s very underrated. 

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While Giolito’s market value does call for a three-year, $61 million deal, considering it’s literally Opening Day, and he still isn’t on a team, the Mets could get him on a rental. However, considering how deep their pockets are, they could also just give him what he’s projected to be worth.

Hopefully the Mets do pick him up, as making their team the strongest it can be this early only sets them up to be better overall this season.

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