MLB Rumors: Mets, Dallas Keuchel A Possible Fit? New York Could Have Actual Interest Free Agent

The rumors that the New York Mets could be players for Dallas Keuchel are starting to pick up a little bit of steam. The Athletic reported a few days ago that the Mets were among the teams that have been in contact with the starting pitcher, and there appears to be at least some interest from New York’s side in acquiring the veteran.

The Mets are not going to break the bank for Keuchel, who is still a free agent after reportedly seeking a $100 million-plus contract in the offseason, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal seems to think New York can't be discounted as a possible destination for the former Cy Young winner.

“All I hear is that the Mets keep checking in, that they're doing their due diligence, and that like a lot of teams they're kind of checking to see where the market is,” Rosenthal said on MLB Network's “MLB Central” Thursday morning, acknowledging that the Mets probably don't plan to increase their payroll by much.

“The question, of course, is price, how you fit him in and all that. But under (general manager) Brodie Van Wagenen, we have seen the Mets repeatedly be aggressive. I don't know how this works. It's going to have to be creative if it gets done at all, but there's a reason they keep checking in. Because you can never have enough pitching.”

Few teams, if any, have a better front of the rotation than the Mets. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom has picked up where he left off, pitching 13 scoreless innings with 24 strikeouts to start the season. New York has high hopes for both Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler.

The back of the rotation isn't as certain with Steven Matz and Jason Vargas. The Mets have made it clear that they plan to contend this season, and adding Keuchel would only help their chances of winning a very tough NL East.

New York made a surprising move in the winter when they took on the bulk of Robinson Cano's contract. The Mets gave deGrom a lucrative five-year extension, even though the pitcher was under their control for two more seasons. The organization also added Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie and Jeurys Familia in free agency.

That's not to say the Mets should be considered big spenders. Rosenthal noted that New York won't be interested in giving Keuchel a five-year deal worth $20 million per season, which might be the kind of contract the left-hander is still seeking.

The Mets would likely have to hope Keuchel becomes willing to take far less money than what he was initially looking for as his free agency extends deeper into the 2019 MLB season.

Keuchel turned down a one year, $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Houston Astros in November. He likely didn't get an offer close to the 6-year, $140 million contract starting pitcher Patrick Corbin signed in the winter.

The San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers have also reportedly been in contact with Keuchel.