Source: Mets check in on free-agent pitchers Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Credit: Getty Images/Bob Levey
WASHINGTON — The Mets recently checked in on former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel and perennial All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, a Mets source said Sunday, standard procedure to see if the two free agents’ prices have dropped as the calendar flips to April.
There is no real traction and no serious sign the Mets will sign either free agent, the source said.
The Mets are far from the only team to do this type of due diligence. The Padres and Brewers also recently touched base with Keuchel’s representatives, according to a report from The Athletic, and at least the Brewers and Rays have talked to Kimbrel.
Keuchel, 31, won the American League Cy Young Award in 2015 and a World Series in 2017 with the Astros. He had a 3.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP last season, making an AL-high 34 starts.
Kimbrel, 30, is a seven-time All-Star who had a 2.74 ERA and 1.00 WHIP for the Red Sox last year. He had 42 saves and a shaky postseason for the World Series champions.
Alonso aces first test
With his first series as a major-leaguer complete, Pete Alonso (6-for-12) has a .500/.571/.750 slash line. He still is waiting for his first home run but has impressed Mickey Callaway with sound defense.
“The most impressive thing defensively so far are the stretches he’s making,” Callaway said. “He can really stretch out there and keep his foot on the bag and still catch the ball. That’s not an easy thing to do. So that’s been really impressive.”
Extra bases
Wilson Ramos took a pitch off his left knee in the ninth inning Sunday but said he is fine. He stayed in the game after Callaway and an athletic trainer checked on him. Of note: Jeff McNeil is the Mets’ emergency catcher. He played the position some in high school. “It’s not completely foreign to me,” he said . . . Despite extra off days early in the season, the Mets will keep their rotation in order, going with Steven Matz, Jason Vargas and Jacob deGrom against the Marlins. That means Noah Syndergaard gets the home opener Thursday . . . The only Mets not to get into a game so far: Matz, Vargas and Luis Guillorme.
