Sources: Mets shift focus to pitching, in hard on Kevin Gausman and others

After agreeing to terms with Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar on Wednesday, and Starling Marte on Friday, the Mets have turned their attention to starting pitching with the expectation of signing more free agents as soon as Saturday or Sunday.

Two league sources pointed to Kevin Gausman as a primary target for the Mets, saying the team was “in hard” on Gausman and hoping to close a deal Saturday or Sunday.

The other source cautioned that, while Gausman is indeed a priority, the Mets are still talking to other pitchers, including Jon Gray and Max Scherzer. The Mets are not overly optimistic about signing Scherzer, but talks continue.

SNY can confirm Marcus Stroman’s report that the Mets are currently more focused on other pitchers than Stroman.

In other fallout from the trio of position player acquisitions, sources said that those moves did not necessarily spell the end of Dominic Smith as a Met, as some speculated on Friday night.

With Smith’s trade value down, the team could keep him and play him at first base, with Pete Alonso as designated hitter, should the DH come to the National League. The Mets could also play Smith in left field, though Canha and Marte will now be occupying many of the outfield at-bats.

All of that is yet to be finalized. Jeff McNeil could play second base or be traded. Escobar could be the starting second baseman or starting third baseman, depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out. J.D. Davis could be a bat off the bench or traded.

Agents and teams alike are expecting a flurry of signings this weekend, because of the expected Dec. 2 work stoppage. Players need to agree to terms soon in order to schedule physical examinations before a transaction freeze.