In the greatest sign yet of what a bizarre baseball offseason this has been, the Mets found company yesterday in the Yankees, of all teams. Both New York clubs have now been outbid by the Pirates this year.
Pittsburgh and free-agent lefty starter Francisco Liriano agreed to terms on a two-year deal for about $13 million, an industry source confirmed. Earlier this Hot Stove campaign, the Pirates had guaranteed free-agent catcher Russell Martin two years and $17 million to pry him from the Yankees.
The steep price for Liriano, 29, whose ERA stood on the wrong side of 5.00 each of the last two seasons and who has never thrown as many as 200 innings in a season, reflects just how patient the Mets will have to be this winter if they stick to their intentions of spending about $10 million more on new talent.
The Mets didn’t engage in serious negotiations with Liriano.
As The Post reported yesterday, the Mets have reached out to the representatives for Carl Pavano and Shaun Marcum (who now looks like an extreme longshot), among others, and they have spoken with the Dodgers about trading for either lefty Chris Capuano, who pitched for the Mets in 2011, or right-hander Aaron Harang.
The Mets also intend to bring aboard a right-handed hitting outfielder, preferably one who can play right field. Free agents Scott Hairston and Cody Ross remain the top choices.