Mets Miss Out On Rumored Target To Brewers According to Insider

Another free-agent pitcher reportedly is off the market.

The New York Mets have been linked to a wide range of free agents since the 2023 season came to an end. New York and owner Steve Cohen still have more money than anyone else but hasn't made a major splash this offseason.

New York is in a better spot but has improved the club without going for expensive, flashy moves. The Mets have focused on players with upside on cheaper deals. One player who popped up as a possible option but no longer is available is two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff.

Woodruff will miss the 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery and was non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the offseason. The righty seemed like a perfect option for the Mets because when he's healthy, he has immense upside but was expecting to land a cheap deal because of his injury. 

While this is the case, New York reportedly missed out on him and he will be re-signing with the Brewers, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Breaking: Brandon Woodruff back to Brewers," Heyman said. "(Two-year) deal."

Landing Woodruff could've gone a long way for the Mets. He won't pitch in 2024, but the Mets are more likely to contend in 2025, anyway. A fully healthy Woodruff could've given the Mets an ace-caliber pitcher at a discount.

Woodruff has a career 3.10 ERA in seven big league seasons and has logged an ERA under 3.00 in two of the last three seasons.