Reese Kaplan -- Searching MLB Rosters for Lefty Relievers

Word has filtered out that the Mets are indeed looking at the trade, waiver wire and unsigned free agent markets to try to fulfill left handed relief pitching now that word on both A.J. Minter and Danny Young suggests that they could be done for the remainder of the year. 

Now the roller coaster of fringe pitchers from Syracuse is in full operation but none of the thus far summoned relievers suggest they are anything more than a temporary warm body rather than a long term solution. 

Now we hear recent imports Chris Devinski and Brandon Waddell are making their way back to Syracuse while newcomers Genesis Cabrera and Ty Adcock are making their way to see how they fare against major league hitters.  At least Cabrera is a southpaw.  Adcock is a 28 year old journeyman right hander who had a nice start to his Syracuse season having pitched 7 innings and owning an ERA well under 2.00.  Cabrera being lefthanded is an attribute but thus far in Syracuse he’s pitching to a 7.88 ERA and walking way too many people. 

On the back burner at Syracuse is Dedniel Nunez, but as documented here yesterday he’s struggling with his control as he’s working his way into day-to-day pitching shape.  He would likely not be a better choice than anyone the Mets have tried out thus far.

In a little-reported roster change, the Mets moved Frankie Montas and A.J. Minter to the 60-day IL as a transition from the 15-day IL where they had been residing.  These changes allow the Mets to suspend these two players from the roster and thus open up additions to the available bullpen selections who are not currently conveniently available.

A good example in-house would be Anthony Gose, a veteran left-handed pitcher attempting to make his way back to the majors.  People may remember him first as an outfielder who couldn’t hit well enough to remain in the majors but at age 30 he transitioned to pitching full time.  For the seasons 2021 through 2024 Gose has not made himself into a regular contributor.  For his minor league career as a pitcher he’s 16-11 with a 3.72 ERA and was doing even better than that this year for Syracuse, but his control is awful.  However, with roster spots open it’s possible he could make his way to a bullpen seat next to Edwin Diaz.

Rumors abound that the Mets are linked to two lefties with Baltimore — Keegan Akin and Gregory Soto.  Of the two, Akin is likely the more interesting option.  A six year veteran, his career numbers he’s shown the ability to stay healthy though not always effective.  This season, however, his 15 games have him pitching to a 3.00 ERA for a $1.475 million contract.  Soto is the same age and has appeared in quite a few innings for a few different teams but nothing really stands out about him long past his two All Star appearances for Detroit back in 2021 and 2022.  He earns quite a bit more for inferior pitching — $5.35 million in his 2025 contract.  Neither seem all that exciting.

One veteran reliever with very good career numbers is Colorado’s Scott Alexander.  He owns a 3.27 ERA for his career, though this season in the pitching hell of Coor’s Field it’s quite a bit worse.  Still, he earns only $2 million and at age 35 likely wouldn’t cost much to acquire.  He’d certainly be a more commensurate replacement for Minter than either of Baltiimore relievers.

Recently veteran Chasen Shreve opted to become a free agent when getting booted from the Atlanta Braves.  He was a Met briefly in 2022 but did not fare well.  For his nearly 400 game relief career he does have an ERA slightly below 4.00, so he would surely not be a top choice.

There are also veterans on other rosters who are playing on minor league contracts who wouldn’t cost much, but the truth of the matter is they are not that highly regarded only to land a minor league deal after years playing in the majors.  For now Scott Alexander looks like the best bet.