Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Mets have enjoyed a dynamic start to their season, but it's not Brodie Van Wagenen's style to stop making calls and thinking of ways to tinker with his roster.

To that end, the team is still in continued contact with free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel, multiple major league sources said on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the Athletic reported on that contact and labeled it "due diligence." That has been our understanding, too -- and sources insisted that it remained the case. But at the same time, we keep hearing noise in the industry connecting the Mets to the former Cy Young Award winner.

Fifth starter Jason Vargas was hit relatively hard in a win on Tuesday, though he made pitches when he had to.

The Mets are in win-now mode, and are monitoring Vargas' performance carefully; Van Wagenen has clearly established a merit-based culture where those who perform keep their jobs, and those who don't can be vulnerable. Vargas continues to have his backers in the organization.

It's also worth noting that the Mets are saving $10 million this season, after Jacob deGrom's contract extension reduced his 2019 salary to $7 million from $17 million.

As long as Keuchel and free agent closer Craig Kimbrel remain unsigned, smart teams should be monitoring their markets. The Mets are doing just that. But with Keuchel in particular, the situation is worth watching.

HARPER: Is this the beginning of the end of free agency? >> Read more

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