Stormy winter ahead for Mets

THE METS will have an interesting with winter, with Brandon Nimmo, Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo all free agents or potential free agents (deGrom and Walker have opt-outs, Carrasco has an innings trigger). As one Mets higher-up said, “It should be a fire drill.”

DeGrom seems dead set on opting out, and though he’s upset by his contract, the Mets also might not be as anxious to pay huge bucks after he missed a calendar year. Assuming he makes at least a few starts and finishes fairly healthy, though, there’s no reason to think there won’t be a strong outside market for him. If deGrom goes, $30.5 million will be freed up, but with so many free agents, it’s times like these Mets fans should be thankful for owner Steve Cohen.

Walker will exercise his own opt-out, and no surprise, the Mets are interested in bringing back the vastly improved starter. Bassitt is a straight free agent who should interest them, as well, though they haven’t tipped their hand yet. Diaz has been as good as any closer in the game, including Josh Hader. Nimmo has the second highest WAR among NL outfielders; they’d like him back, too.

The free-agent pitching market will be much stronger than the trade market, with Carlos Rodon (who will opt out assuming continued health), Sean Manaea and Jameson Taillon all also free agents. Justin Verlander will earn a $25 million player option if he reaches 130 innings, almost a foregone conclusion, and one market expert predicts he, too, will opt out. With Max Scherzer on the books at $43.3 million, Verlander could try to get that much. Just a guess, but it isn’t hard to imagine Cohen making a play for Verlander.

➤ Keith Hernandez should be in the Hall of Fame. So should Don Mattingly.