:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24891885/127385870.0.jpg)
The Bronson Arroyo-to-the-Mets thing flared up again on Tuesday afternoon, with Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio in Minneapolis tweeted out that both New York and Cincinnati are making "strong pushes" for the veteran starter's services.
Arroyo has been worth 3.2 fWAR over the past two seasons. In four of his past five campaigns, he's thrown at least 200 innings with a sub-4.00 ERA. Two weeks ago, the Mets were said to be "heavily involved" in contract negotiations with Arroyo, but talks eventually cooled off.
Chris Strohmaier wrote in his free agent profile last month that Arroyo would be a good fit for the blue and orange given the need for a veteran starter in the short term. Arroyo is expected to get a two-year deal worth slightly less than $30 million.
As of today, Jon Niese, Dillon Gee, and Zack Wheeler are considered locks for the Mets' rotation, with Jenrry Mejia, Rafael Montero and others competing for the last two spots. Importing a durable veteran like Arroyo would provide stability to the back end.
