Free Agents are a greater risk than anyone usually admits

OF Brandon Nimmo, 8 years, $162 million
A fan favorite in Flushing, Nimmo explored interest from teams,
including the Giants and Yankees, before returning to the Mets on what
was (briefly) their most expensive deal of the offseason. He has already
been in the organization for 12 years and stands a good chance of
becoming a Met for life.

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RHP Edwin Díaz, 5 years, $102 million
Díaz’s signing was the first significant move by any team this
offseason, as the Mets moved quickly to lock up their All-Star closer.
His contract includes a $20 million option for the 2028 season, giving
fans ample opportunities to hear “Narco” blare at Citi Field over the
next half-decade.

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RHP Justin Verlander, 2 years, $86.6 million
It says something about the Mets’ offseason that Verlander’s deal seems
downright cheap in comparison to some others. The three-time Cy Young
Award winner and former MVP signed on to replace Jacob deGrom atop the
Mets’ rotation. His contract includes a $35 million vesting option for
2025 and matches Max Scherzer’s deal for the highest average annual
value in Major League history.

Verlander on signing with Mets
Dec 20, 2022 · 2:42
Verlander on signing with Mets
Related

RHP Kodai Senga, 5 years, $75 million
The wild card of the offseason is Senga, a six-time Japan Series
champion who became an unrestricted free agent in November. The Mets
scooped him up with an eye toward making him their No. 3 starter, though
Senga will need to prove that his signature “ghost forkball” can be as
potent against MLB hitters as it was on the other side of the Pacific.

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LHP José Quintana, 2 years, $26 million
Completely overshadowed by the Mets’ flashier signings was their
two-year deal for Quintana, an 11-year veteran who produced a 2.93 ERA
over 32 starts for the Pirates and Cardinals last season. Quintana
should slot fourth in the rotation behind Scherzer, Verlander and Senga.

José Quintana signs with the Mets
Dec 7, 2022 · 4:16
José Quintana signs with the Mets
C Omar Narváez, 2 years, $15 million
Unsatisfied with the offensive production of catchers James McCann --
who was traded to the O's a week after this agreement -- and Tomás Nido,
the Mets struck a deal with Narváez, a left-handed hitter who is also
adept behind the plate. The deal should buy more time for top prospect
Francisco Álvarez to improve defensively in the Minors. It includes an
opt-out after Year 1.

RHP Adam Ottavino, 2 years, $14.5 million
Mets fans are plenty familiar with Ottavino, a New York native who
played Robin to Díaz’s Batman in the 2022 bullpen. He’s returning on a
multiyear deal (with an opt-out after next season) to set up Díaz once more.

RHP David Robertson, 1 year, $10 million
The Mets didn’t acquire Robertson at the 2022 Trade Deadline despite
harboring interest in him. Five months later, they made sure the 14-year
veteran wouldn’t slip through their fingers again. Robertson will join
Ottavino as another top right-handed option to set up Díaz.