Reese Kaplan -- Free Agent Riches to Bolster the Bullpen

Now that we've examined the starting pitching options available to the Mets in free agency and via trades, it's now time to look at their other need from the pitching mound -- relief pitchers who can preserve the efforts of the starters.  

The Mets have seem to have employed a merry-go-round in the bullpen for the past many years with very few names placed there in consecutive seasons.  Unless there are some very surprising trade transactions in the channel that we are not aware will be happening, you can count for sure on the returns of Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Trevor May and Miguel Castro.  After that there are a number of highly probables including Drew Smith and Trevor Williams.  Then there's a bastion of wannabe 5th starters as well.  It's crowded but not necessarily a brilliant collection.  

So in examining the free agent options out there, let's get the first one out of the way in a hurry, Kenley Jansen.  The soon-to-be former Dodger is no doubt an intimidating and effective closer.  During his career he has an ERA of 2.37 with a winning record of 37-26.  He has accumulated 350 saves in 701 IP and appeared in surprisingly just three All Star games.  You'd think a guy who carries a strikeout to walk ratio over 5.00 would be much more highly regarded.  He's going to want to close and will close but unless the Mets have totally soured on Edwin Diaz it's not going to be with the Mets.  His last contract paid $20 million in his last season and he's going to want more for probably 4-5 years to close out an awesome career.  Think Boston instead.

Let's instead look at pitchers who are possible emergency closers or veteran setup men who can help the Mets improve their bullpen effectiveness.  There are quite a few in free agency at least worth a look.  

Ryan Tepera is a relatively little known pitcher who has bounced between the Blue Jays, Cubs and during his seven year career.  Purely a middle reliever, he sports a 3.48 career ERA and lately has been over 10 per 9 IP in strikeouts.  For that quality last year he was only paid $800K.

A former Met coming off an awesome 2021 season is going to look to cash in.  Collin McHugh finished with a 6-1 record, a 1.55 ERA and 7 saves over 37 games (30 out of the pen).  He is a winning pitcher for his career between the rotation and the relief corps with a 64-44 record with an ERA of 3.77.  When he became a reliever in 2018 for Houston he did a 1.99 ERA.  In 2019 it was a bit of a step backwards when his usually reliable control faltered but after sitting out the COVID year he came back gangbusters in 2021.  He's earned as much as $5.8 million his last two years in Houston and then $5 million last season for the Rays.  He's going to want to get a big bump in pay so he may not be a good fit for the Mets if he's seeking say $7.5 million this season to be a middle reliever at age 35.  

Former mostly Arizona Diamondback and recently Oakland A Andrew Chafin is a lefty who the Mets should be examining very closely.  He's been in the majors for 8 years and sports a 3.30 ERA for his career.  After finishing 2022 earning $2.25 million the Cubs bought out his option setting him free after dealing him to Oakland.  For the Cubbies he pitched to a 2.06 ERA and for the A's a 1.53.  That's quality at a bargain price. Turning 32 next year he'd be a nice fit for the next few seasons.

A guy who was a late start to the majors was big right hander Richard Rodriguez who saw time with the Orioles, Pirates and Braves.  Over his age 27 debut until his age 31 season that just finished he delivered a 16-14 record with a 3.28 ERA.  Although he had a couple of high K blips, he's mostly not a strikeout master but appeared last season between two teams in 64 games with a 2.94 ERA.  He earned just $1.7 million last year.

I'll throw lefty Brad Hand into the mix but am not convinced he's a good get given his recent $10.5 million salary and his three long-ago All Star appearances.  In 2021 he split between three teams and was acceptable if not stellar.  For that effort he earned a combined $1 million.  He's likely looking for a closer's role again and if so he won't be happy in setup.  Attitude can cripple performance (witness Jeurys Familia as a good example).  I'd consider him but he's not first choice.  

Lefty Tony Watson seems to have been around forever.  During his 11 big league seasons he's been mostly in middle relief for which he sports a career total of a 47-29 record and a sparkling 2.90 ERA. For that effort last year he earned just $1 million.  His interval with the Angels was pretty meh, but he was brilliant with the Giants for a combined 62 games.  Going into his age 37 season he probably can be had for a one or two year deal for very little money.  Look at him.  

Righty Brad Boxberger twice served as a closer in the majors for the Rays and the Diamondbacks but nowadays he's a setup guy appearing in last season 71 games for the Brewers.  His career ERA is 3.52 and he was below that each of the past two years.  He earned just $100K each of the past two years, so even a jump to $2 million would set off fireworks in his household.  

Another former Met at the lower end of the salary scale is veteran Tyler Clippard.  He was not great in 2021 and now at age 37 he won't be expensive. There is a bit of a gamble that he may have hit the wall but he sports a 3.35 ERA for his entire career so he is worth some thought.  

I've advocated sidearmer Steve Cishek in the past.  He owns a 2.85 ERA for his entire career yet was paid just a combined $1.85 million which included a buyout of his 2022 year.  For that salary last season he appeared in 74 games for the Angels and finished with a 3.42 ERA.  His control was not spectacular so again you have to question if as he's turning 36 he has reached the end of the line, though 3.42 is still pretty good.  

I'll close with one more former Met who might want to end his career where it began.  Joe Smith has been around since 2007 and has put together a stellar career in middle relief.  He has pitched for 14 seasons and sports a record of 54-33 with a 3.09 ERA.  In his third season with the Astros he was not good at all, but bounced back quite nicely in his final 23 games with the Mariners where he delivered a 2.00 ERA.  He's turning 38 next month and his sidearm delivery might be a good and different look for the Mets to offer up to opposing hitters.  Though he's earned as much as $8 million in a single season, he was at $4 million last year and will likely sign for less.  Given his resume, that's a bargain price.