One of the ongoing debates among Mets fans is the pressure of performing in New York City and the experience of various players available in free agency who either flourished or foundered at Citifield.   With POBO David Stearns declaring the need to reinforce the starting rotation as priority number one for the theoretically existing 2027 season  it is interesting to note that in free agency a baker’s dozen of former Mets hurlers are available to the highest bidder.  Some could make sense.  Others might not. Former Mets Starting Pitchers Up for Bid * 38 year old Chris Bassitt had a very productive single season for the Mets back in 2022 when he went 15-9 with a 3.42 ERA.  That level of mid rotation effectiveness led to his free agent departure at year’s end.  He had a similar first year in Toronto bt it’s been mostly downhill as he enters the twilight of his playing career.  During 2026 he went 9-5 with a 4.59 ERA for the Orioles, so it’s not as if he would cost very much but he may not be a proper fit anymore.  * Paul Blackburn was not nearly as well regarded while a member of the team.  At age 33 he’s been a space filler as a starting pitcher.  He owns a ten-year losing record and a career ERA of 4.46.  Last season the Yankees converted him to full time reliever and he flourished.  For the season over 62 games he went 7-2 with a microscopic 1.66 ERA.  Some teams might feel his conversion to bullpen work was what he needed while others would look at the whole ledger of mediocrity and not want to gamble that one good year made up for nine terrible ones.  The memories are way too negative for the Mets to place him on their radar. * Injury plagued Griffin Canning was surprisingly decent when no one had any real knowledge of nor confidence in him when Stearns acquired him for part of the 2025 season.  His contract has a $5 million mutual option at year’s end and after a Padres 5-9 season with an ERA of 5.59 it’s unlikely he will be brought back.  He’s not a true difference maker and unless it was bargain hunting as a primary motivation he doesn’t seem to be a good fit either. * Now 40 year old Carlos Carrasco hasn’t had an ERA below 5.64 in the three years since hitting the road.  No thanks. * Clay Holmes was something of a found miracle when the Mets converted him from reliever to starter.  His injuries interrupted this transition but the numbers certainly don’t lie.  For the Mets he delivered a 3.53 ERA in 2025 and was at just 2.39 when he was dealt away in the trade deadline housecleaning.  His option for 2027 would be $12 million, a full million below his current salary.  He’s likely not going to take that paycheck and will again opt to test free agency.  Keep your interest in this guy active. * Frankie Montas is now 34.  He will spend his age 35 season somewhere other than Citifield.  * A VERY interesting and hard to sell option for next season would be a reunion with former Met and former Brewer Freddy Peralta fresh off his September Pitcher of the Month award for the Rays. Peralta likely wouldn’t want to come back to the Mets any more than Mets fans would welcome him with open arms, but he is one of the better pitchers available for people with deep pockets.    * A lot of people kept waiting for southpaw David Peterson to blossom into a top flight pitcher.  Finally in his walk year he was the first kicked out of the 2026 Mets clubhouse.  He finished his season with a 4.79 ERA though most of the suffering was felt by Mets fans.  For the Cubs his ERA dropped to 3.70.  He’s available to a high bidder.  We hope David Stearns has blocked his agent’s number. * Lefty Jose Quintana has turned in consecutive season ERAs of 3.96 and 5.44 for the Cubs and Rockies respectively.  Turning 38 next year his best days are behind him and he shouldn’t be a real consideration either.  * Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is available to the highest bidder but already at age 42 he’s not going to get a megabucks annual rate nor will it be for more than a year or two.  His 2026 numbers were awful and it’s been that way for the past few years.  He’s likely a fifth starter at best at this point in his long career. No thanks. * Former Met and Yankee Luis Severino has a $22 million player option for his age 34 season.  Given his two consecutive years of an ERA well north of 4.00 you can bet he’s exercising that option rather than test free agency for less money. * Justin Verlander has announced probable retirement.  He’s had a great career but not a viable option for the Mets.  * Taijuan Walker is going to be 35 and fighting for a job somewhere other than in Queens.  

HERE I GO AGAIN!   SAVAGE VIEWS Each year I try to do a father-son trip with one of my sons. This year Ken and I decided on a four-day trip to NYC culminating with catching the Orioles playing the Mets. DAY ONE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH. Flew into Laguardia from New Bern, NC. After settling in our AIRBNB, took the subway to Greenwich Village.  First stop was Bleeker Street Pizzeria where we dined al-fresco and were able to watch a parade of women, young and older, wearing barely enough clothing to cover the essentials.  Then onto Terra Blues Café for an evening of great music. DAY TWO – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH An easy day, brunch followed by watching the Ken’s team, the Jets play, Then dinner at Peter Luger’s Steak House and then back to catch my Giants play the Cowboys. A very satisfying day. DAY THREE – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH Another busy day as we spent an afternoon at the Museum of Natural History. Had dinner at the Russian Samovar Café followed by a magic show called “Amaze”. An expensive day but worth the price. DAY FOUR – TUESDAY, SPETEMBER 15TH Ken insisted we need to go to Canal Street to purchase a genuine imitation Louis Vuitton handbag for his wife. After which we were able to get a table at Rubirosa Restaurant, one our favorite Italian spots in the City.   We eventually made our way to Citifield arriving just as the gates opened. We had front row seats in Section 109 along the first base line. I was wearing my Gil Hodges jersey and a Brookly Dodger cap.  I was expecting a visit from Steve Gelbs, however he never showed. I had emailed him earlier to let him know that I would be attending the game. I thought he might be interested in interviewing the possible last surviving witness who was actually at the game when Bobby Thomson hit the “shot heard around the world”. However, we did get to see Peter Alonzo hit number 300. Unfortunately, our own Mr. Lindor did not. Since the subway trip to our apartment would take north of an hour, we did not stay for extra innings. DAY FIVE – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH. Back home to New Bern, NC, totally exhausted. Ray September 27, 2026