Quintana, who turns 34 in January, would be a steal at two years and $26 million if he pitches as he did last season, when he had a 2.93 E.R.A. in 32 starts for Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
With a mechanical adjustment that sharpened his sinker, Quintana allowed only eight home runs; his ratio of 0.4 per nine innings was the best in Major League Baseball. He made his debut in 2012 and has never reached the World Series, and figured the Mets would give him a good chance.
“It’s a really exciting time,” Quintana said. “I think everybody’s talking about us, and that’s fine. We showed something — we want to win. Like David says, I’m not going to be younger anymore, so it’s time to win. This is the perfect fit, the perfect team. We have everything in here to show that.”
Robertson, who will be 38 in April, won the World Series with the 2009 Yankees and returned with the Phillies last fall, earning a save in the opener in Houston. Working without an agent, he knew where to shop himself on the open market.
“Sometimes you have to put out a little bit more money to get the players that you want, that you think are going to fit in, and get the right staff in control of that organization,” said Robertson, who got a one-year deal for $10 million. “I think it just shows a lot about our owner — he’s committed to it.”
The Mets’ owner, Steven A. Cohen, has authorized a record payroll of roughly $350 million for 2023, plus about $80 million in luxury-tax penalties. The deals for Verlander, Quintana, Robertson, Senga (five years, $75 million), closer Edwin Díaz (five years, $102 million) and outfielder Brandon Nimmo (eight years, $162 million) add up to a $461.66 million spending spree.
“A lot of the heavy lifting is done,” Eppler said, “but it doesn’t stop us from being opportunistic.”