Mets have reported “interest” in this right-handed starter, who struggled in 2023.

The New York Mets have now reported “interest” in RHP Lucas Giolito according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. With the current shape up of the Mets rotation and pitching depth adding a reclamation project on a cheap 1 year deal with a club or player option is what the Mets could focus on this offseason to help fill out this rotation, and with the main focus being on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the organization still has needs for backend starters so adding a player like Giolito doesn’t remove you from a race for Yamamoto.

Current Mets Projected Rotation For 2023 (according to FanGraphs):

1. Kodai Senga

2. Jose Quintana

3. Luis Severino

4. Tylor Megill

5. Joey Luchessi

If the Mets do land Yoshinobu Yamamoto it’s expected that they would head to a 6 man rotation so adding more depth starters is definitely a necessity. Mets are currently focused on pitching and defense as it seems based on the players they are reportedly interested in, and Giolito being linked to them just add’s his name to a list of pitchers the Mets are linked on as they continue to look for backend starters, as they keep heavy interest in Yamamoto according to reports. Lucas Giolito is an interesting name, he hasn’t been on top of his game the past 2 seasons, but had a really good stretch from 2019 to 2021. His 2023 season was mediocre at best with a lot of his underlying metrics struggling, but it also doesn’t help that he bounced around a ton last year going from the White Sox’s to the Angels and then ended the year with the Guardians, so maybe a set home for a season can benefit him into putting together a solid season.

Lucas Giolito’s 2023 Stats:

⁃ 184.1 IP

⁃ 25.7% K%

⁃ 9.2% BB%

⁃ 28.8% Whiff%

⁃ 91 ERA+

⁃ 4.88 ERA

⁃ 5.27 FIP

Like I said these numbers just aren’t great, but before all the movement Giolito started off really hot with the White Sox’s and if the Mets brass can bring him in, and fix him it would be a really positive sign towards the future if the organization can bring in struggling players and unlock their skill sets and get them back to performing like they once did.