WFAN MLB insider Jon Heyman is a busy man, breaking baseball signings and trades left and right, especially during last week's Winter Meetings in San Diego California.
He joined Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts to break down the New York Mets relief pitcher situation, the possibility of the New York Yankees signing another starter in addition to pitcher Gerrit Cole, etc.
In less than 24 hours, the Mets signed both Rick Porcello (one-year, $10 million) and Michael Wacha (one-year, $3 million) to contracts. The Amazins' still have other players on their holidays shopping list.
"They (the Mets) have been talking to relievers," Heyman said. "I wouldn't be shocked. I don't think it will be (Dellin) Betances. He's looking to get $10 million but his timing is off. The Mets are not inclined to do that. They've talked to some other relievers."
When asked by the guys what names, Heyman said he couldn't reveal that on the air but joked he would text Roberts the answers.
"I think they did the right thing by adding (Michael) Wacha and (Rick) Porcello. Seth Lugo will be back next year. He was the key guy in the pen that saved them from being an all-time bad pen... right now you've got six starters."
Brian Cashman and the Yankees took the baseball world by storm, signing Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking nine-year, $324 million contract last week. As Heyman describes, despite the signing, the Yankees aren't done yet.
"Get a little depth, look for a left-handed bat. Still talking to relievers although their bullpen is very good. They've been connected to Hadar. Wow if they got him. Hard for Milwaukee to trade Josh Hader though. He's not getting big money from the Brewers. New York could be risky for him."
"They love the idea of having a shut-down bullpen. Excellent last year, obviously didn't lead them to a World Series though. If you're the Yankees or the Dodgers, it's hard to improve without getting somebody great. Their main lineup, their rotation, is pretty darn good. Wouldn't mind them adding a starter and getting some depth there. You can never have too many."
Hader had 138 strikeouts and a 2.62 earned run average in 61 games with the Brewers last season. His salary for the 2019 season was uner $700,000. The 25-year old is now eligible for arbitration this winter and is projected to make around $4.6 million in 2020.
With both Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman having one-year remaining on their current deals with the Mets, Benigno and Roberts pondered the possibility of either or both being dealt.
"Matz or Stroman. I'm speculating Stroman. He's only got one year to free agency so not a ton of value. You could get a ton for Matz on the open market."
Click the audio player above to listen to Heyman's interview in its entirety.
