It has become increasingly clear that the New York Mets and superstar slugger Pete ... that could be a sort of last-resort option: former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

The Yankees stared at last offseason's Mets transaction log and scoffed ... Sure, it would've been an interesting flyer at $7-8 million for a potential All-Star, but double that?

The Mets have already caused enough pain to Yankees fans this offseason ... Goldschmidt could be worth a flyer. He is a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, four-time Gold Glover ...