"Mets should have taken advantage" - MLB podcaster blasts NL East powerhouse for fumbling "Tatsuya Imai's barren market"

The New York Mets have had an underwhelming offseason by their standards, as they were expected to be one of the biggest spenders after missing the playoffs last season.

Apart from signing closers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver and All-Star slugger Jorge Polanco, the Mets have largely been quiet in the offseason, despite being linked with several high-profile free agents.

The NL East franchise missed out on signing former All-Star infielder Pete Alonso, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles in free agency. The Mets also reportedly dropped their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber, who returned to the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.

Amid the team's lack of spending, MLB podcaster Tony Metro urged the team to go after Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai, whose signing window closes this week on Friday.

"The Mets should take advantage of Tatsuya Imai's barren market. Even if the AAV stays high, this screams a shorter-term deal with opt-outs, low long-term risk, and real upside."

Imai was linked with several teams after he was posted by NPB's Saitama Seibu Lions last month. Apart from the Mets, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles have been linked with the Japanese ace, but have not proposed an offer for the starting pitcher.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash