Mets free agency and trade buzz: Walker Buehler signing with Red Sox

Here’s the latest Mets free agency and trade buzz during the 2024-25 MLB offseason…

Dec. 23, 10:16 a.m.

Right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler, a free agent the Mets had interest in earlier this offseason, is signing with the Red Sox, per multiple reports.

The deal will be for one year and $21.05 million.

The expectation had been that Buehler, who has ace upside but struggled for the Dodgers last season in what was his first year back after Tommy John surgery, would either sign a one-year deal or a two-year deal with an opt-out.

Following the Mets’ re-signing of Sean Manaea, the possibility of them adding Buehler dropped significantly since Manaea gives the Mets a fifth lock for their rotation.

For the sixth spot (the belief is New York will use a six-man staff in 2025), they could go internal with someone like Paul Blackburn or Griffin Canning.

The Mets are also among the teams with a legitimate shot to sign Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, whom the club met with in person last week.

Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is reportedly “expected to choose a team soon,” according to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman.

The Yankees interest is “rapidly increasing,” while the Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners are seen as other potential fits.

A reunion between Pete Alonso and the Mets is still possible, but it’s clear the team is still weighing their options and looking into all possibilities for first base.

Goldschmidt, 36, had a down year at the plate in 2024, hitting just 22 homers with career-lows in OBP (.302), SLG (.414), and OPS (.716). Therefore, it’s thought he would likely only get a one-year contract with whichever team he signs.

Dec. 20, 3:15 p.m.

As the Mets look to fill their current hole at first base, they are reportedly among the teams engaged in talks with Paul Goldschmidt, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

New York has long been viewed as a logical fit for a reunion with Pete Alonso, who lost another suitor Friday morning when the Astros signed Christian Walker to a three-year deal, but it appears that they may be keeping all options open.

Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger award winner, but he is coming off a bit of a down year at the plate in which he posted just 22 home runs and career-lows in OBP (.302), SLG (.414), and OPS (.716).

Because of that, the 36-year-old would likely only command a cheap one-year deal.

The other teams in the mix, according to Nightengale, include the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, and the Yankees — who are reportedly “increasingly likely” to add a short-term first baseman such as Goldschmidt or Carlos Santana.

Dec. 17, 7:35 p.m.

One of the Mets’ starting pitching pursuits reportedly has plenty of suitors this offseason, including the team from Toronto.

The Post’s Jon Heyman reports the Blue Jays are among many teams in on Nick Pivetta.

Of course, the Mets are seeking at least one more starter to fill out their revamped rotation alongside Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes. Pivetta is one of five starters who are linked to the team from Queens. A reunion with Sean Manaea is on the table while Pivetta, Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty are names available via free agency.

The Mets have also checked in with the Seattle Mariners on a potential trade for Luis Castillo.

Dec. 14, 8:20 p.m.

The Mariners are open to trading RHP Luis Castillo, if the return makes sense to them, and the Mets have reportedly checked in with Seattle.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Mets, Orioles, Red Sox and Cubs have all reached out to the Mariners to at least inquire about a potential Castillo trade.

Castillo went 11-12 and pitched to a 3.64 ERA, pitching for the light-hitting Mariners in 2024. The year prior, however, was a different story. The right-hander was 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.096 WHIP en route to his third All-Star selection and being fifth in Cy Young voting in 2023.

The Mets continue to seek rotation help after acquiring Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes this offseason. New York could potentially seek a reunion with Sean Manaea and have also been linked to Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta.

Dec. 14, 11:15 a.m.

The Houston Astros are emerging “as a serious suitor” for St. Louis Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.

The Cardinals have said they intend to move on from the 33-year-old this offseason, who’s owed $74 million over the next three seasons.

If and when Arenado gets traded, he will first have to waive his no-trade clause. He’s named six teams he would be willing to waive it for: the Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Angels, according to John Denton of MLB.com.

It’s unclear if Arenado would waive his no-trade clause for a move to Houston. The Astros made a big move Friday by trading away OF Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, and the team is still trying to retain 3B Alex Bregman, although those talks have apparently stalled.

Arenado could be a fit for the Mets at 3B, allowing developing star Mark Vientos to play more at DH. If Pete Alonso leaves in free agency, trading for Arenado would allow NY to move Vientos to 1B.

Dec. 12, 9:29 a.m.

The Mets have serious competition for free agent right-hander Walker Buehler.

Among the teams interested in Buehler are the Red Sox, Giants, and Tigers, per Buster Olney of ESPN.

The Giants have been heavily linked to free agent righty Corbin Burnes, and if they land him, it would stand to reason that their chances of bringing in Buehler would drop.

As far as the Red Sox, they remain interested in additional starting pitching fortifications even after swinging a blockbuster trade for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

According to Olney, Buehler is seeking a multi-year deal with opt-outs, which makes sense considering he’s coming off a regular season where he struggled badly.

Buehler, 30, could be looking to reestablish himself as a top of the rotation arm before potentially hitting the market again next offseason.

SNY’s Andy Martino has reported that the Mets have interest in Buehler, who was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2018 to 2021 before having Tommy John surgery in 2022 and returning last season.

Dec. 10, 10:45 p.m.

There are several different ways the Mets could round out their infield heading into next season.

If they want to get creative one option they could consider on the trade market is 3B Nolan Arenado, who the St. Louis Cardinals have said they intend to move on from this offseason.

Bringing in Arenado could allow them to move Mark Vientos to first base if Pete Alonso walks in free agency, or the youngster could be the DH and New York could form an elite left side of the infield with Arenado and Francisco Lindor.

If they do decide to go that route, New York is indeed one of six clubs that the veteran would to willing to waive his no-trade clause for, according to John Denton of MLB.com.

The others are said to be the Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Angels.

While Arenado remains a sure-handed defender, he has seen his offensive production steadily decline over the past few seasons, and he’s coming off a campaign in which he posted some of his lowest numbers since his rookie year (16 HR, 71 RBI).

The 33-year-old is also owed $74 million over the next three seasons.

Dec. 10, 8:00 p.m.

As the Mets look to continue building out their starting rotation, it appears that one of their targets is now off the board.

After testing the open market, Nathan Eovaldi has opted to re-sign with the Rangers on a three-year, $75 million deal according to numerous reports.

Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic first mentioned New York’s interest in Eovaldi last week, but it seemed like a long shot at the time with a reunion being Texas’ top priority.

Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, and Nick Pivetta are other names the Mets have been connected to.

SNY’s Andy Martino also reported on Monday that there’s been “increasing optimism” around the organization about a potential reunion with Sean Manaea.

They are also rumored to be among the “most aggressive suitors” in the sweepstakes for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet.

Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.

As the Mets look to continue building their starting rotation, SNY’s MLB Insider Andy Martino says he’s sensing “increasing optimism” around the club on a potential reunion with Sean Manaea.

“Towards the end of the season my read on this if you’re the Mets was we love Sean, we appreciate Sean, but that market might outpace where we go on starting pitching,” Martino said on Monday’s Mets Hot Stove. “But the vibe I’m getting now is that they love him so much that they might be willing to stretch a little.

“If someone comes in with five or six years for a pitcher already in his 30s, he’s probably going to that team. But it seems as if the Mets have remained in contact and remain feeling pretty good about that.”

Manaea certainly has put himself in a tremendous spot this offseason following his breakout campaign in which he pitched to a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while making a career-high 32 starts with the Mets.

The southpaw enjoyed his time in the Big Apple and said he’d “love to be back” at the end of the season.

While there is plenty of competition for his services, bringing Manaea back into the mix would be a tremendous boost for a rotation that’s already added his good friend Frankie Montas and former Yankees closer Clay Holmes this offseason.

Nov. 28, 10:33 a.m.

Like the Mets and Yankees, the Blue Jays remain focused on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but they are also keeping an eye out for other targets in case the superstar outfielder lands elsewhere.

On the pitching front, Toronto is among teams that are showing interest in former Mets right-hander Luis Severino, according to Ben Nicholsen-Smith of Sportsnet.

Severino turned down New York’s qualifying offer last week with hopes of earning himself a multi-year pact on the open market.

The veteran is coming off a strong year in which he stayed healthy and pitched to 3.91 ERA across 31 outings.