With Zack Wheeler heading to the Phillies on a five-year deal, the Mets find themselves with a spot open in their starting rotation.
Could Rick Porcello be the answer?
According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Mets are talking to Porcello, who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2016.
SNY's Matthew Cerrone has previously reported that there was mutual interest between the Mets and the 30-year-old right-hander. Cerrone mentioned at the time that Porcello, who spent his last five seasons in Boston, could be looking for a multi-year deal, though a one-year incentive-rich contract could also bring him to Flushing.
Overall, Porcello has pitched to a 4.36 ERA over his 11-year career in the majors with Detroit and Boston. During his 2016 Cy Young campaign, Porcello went 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA, a 1.009 WHIP, and 189 strikeouts over a career-best 223.0 innings.
He struggled in 2019, pitching to a 5.52 ERA with a 1.394 WHIP.
With Wheeler joining the Phillies, the Mets currently have a rotation of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz.
Porcello is a native of Morristown, NJ, and a graduate of Seton Hall Prep.