Mets general manager Sandy Alderson likely is to meet with free-agent starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo this coming week, a source confirmed.
Though a precise day and time hadn’t been set as of Saturday, Alderson spoke with Arroyo’s representation on Wednesday, as ESPN New York first reported, about a meeting. Alderson already has met this offseason with shortstop Jhonny Peralta during the general managers’ meetings — Peralta wound up signing a four-year, $53-million deal with the Cardinals last week — and outfielder Chris Young, who agreed to a one-year, $7.25-million contract with the Mets.
Arroyo, who will be 37 in February, has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in baseball, having pitched at least 199 innings every year since 2005. He spent the past eight seasons with Cincinnati. That level of consistency could land him a three-year deal, although his age could limit his contract to two years.
The Twins, Angels and Phillies are among the teams believed to be interested in signing Arroyo, who probably has priced himself out of the small-market Reds’ range.