Mets Rumors: Starting Pitcher Extensions Not Being Discussed

New York Mets Rumors: General manager Sandy Alderson does not envision contract extension talks happening with his starting pitchers before Spring Training.

New York Mets rumors have revolved around their outfield for much of the offseason. The Mets have a logjam in their outfield after retaining Yoenis Cespedes in free agency and have been discussing trades to alleviate that logjam.

Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson have dominated those rumors as the two players likeliest to be moved via trade. The Toronto Blue Jays have remained the most aggressive suitors, but are offering very little in exchange for Bruce. They would like to acquire Granderson, but the Mets would prefer to keep him and have reportedly taken Granderson off the trade market.

While a trade is more than likely to happen in the coming weeks, one thing you can probably add to the not happening list is an extension with one of the starting pitchers. General manager Sandy Alderson said to not expect any deals being made with their starting pitchers during the winter when talking to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

"“We’re not thinking about it now, it really hasn’t been our focus,” Alderson told The News. “It’s probably not something that is going to happen before we head to spring training.”"

Alderson was also asked if there would be extension talks during the regular season. It is not something he ruled out, but reassured that it would not happen before Spring Training.

"“I am not going to say we would do or we are not going to do it,” Alderson said of looking to lock up one of their young arms long term during the season, “but heading into spring training, it’s not likely going to happen.”"

The Mets have one of the most talented starting rotations in the major leagues on paper. Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz are quite a group. But, the five of them have yet to be in the rotation, healthy, at the same time.

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Health is a big reason for the Mets to be hesitant in handing out a long-term deal. Of those five, Syndergaard is the only one to not be placed on the disabled list yet in his major league career but did deal with bone spurs during 2016.

Harvey battled injuries throughout 2016 and underwent thoracic outlet syndrome that was the final nail in his season. He will be the first of the bunch to hit free agency, as he is in his second year of arbitration.

deGrom follows him, as he enters his first season of arbitration as a Super-2 player. Like Harvey, he ended 2016 on the DL as he underwent repairs on his ulnar nerve. Wheeler hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2014, and there is discussions that he could move to the bullpen.

Syndergaard and Matz have yet to reach arbitration and could be extension candidates to buy out those years. Syndergaard will probably be the tougher of the two to lock up as he looks like a future Cy Young contender. An extension may be something Matz considers, as he just cannot stay healthy at any level for an extended period of time.

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Both Syndergaard and Matz will be under team control through the 2021 season, and be arbitration eligible for the first time until 2018.

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