Mets named as top fit for premier starting pitcher by insider

If New York Mets fans were hoping for a normal 2024 season, this certainly hasn't been it.

After an awful first two months, the Mets have rebounded spectacularly. They've been the National League's best team since the start of June, riding the power of a McDonald's mascot and utility infielder/Latin popstar to the second Wild Card spot as of Saturday night.

There's been a ton of positivity around the Mets lately, but one notable exception took place on Friday night. 2023 Mets ace Kodai Senga, making his first start of the season, suffered a calf injury that will reportedly keep him sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

It was a brutal blow for a team that was short on starting pitching to begin with. Senga was supposed to be a de facto trade deadline acquisition for the Mets. Now, though, they may need to make a more traditional trade deadline move.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are interested in the Chicago White Sox's Erick Fedde. who has been one of the most consistent starters in the American League this season.

"The Mets have called on Fedde, who flamed out with the Nationals after being a first-round selection, went to Korea and remade himself as a 20-game winner and KBO’s MVP," Sherman said. "(He) has a 2.98 ERA in 20 starts."

One of the main selling points for Fedde is the price tag. He signed a two-year, $15 million deal after returning from the Korean Baseball Organization at the start of 2024. Given that he has pitched exceptionally well in his return, his contract looks like a steal for 2025.

Fedde is sure to have many suitors, given that pitching is always in high demand at the trade deadline. It would be a big statement from first-year general manager David Stearns to win the Fedde sweepstakes, and it may be the shot in the arm the Mets' pitching staff needs.

Regardless of whether the Mets acquire Fedde specifically, time is quickly running out to improve the starting rotation. The trade deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

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