Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has made moves to address the team’s lineup this offseason, notably acquiring Juan Soto, and reinforcing the starting rotation with Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and Frankie Montas. However, the bullpen has remained largely untouched, aside from adding a few untested arms via signings or waiver claims.
The more established bullpen options include Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett, Sean Reid-Foley, and Jose Butto (should he stay out of the starting rotation). Dedniel Nunez also showed promise before being sidelined by a late-season elbow injury. Left-hander Danny Young was effective for a period, though his performance dipped towards the end of the season. Additionally, Huascar Brazoban remains an unpredictable factor.
A Look at Some of the Bigger Names Still Available:
Tanner Scott: As one of the top relievers still on the market, Scott would command a hefty financial investment. The left-hander impressed last season with the Marlins and Padres, posting the lowest average exit velocity (84.3 mph) in MLB. Pairing him with Edwin Diaz for a right/left combo in the late innings would present a formidable challenge for opposing hitters.
Jeff Hoffman: After a career marked by inconsistency, Hoffman has found success in the past two seasons with the Phillies. The question now is whether he’s reached his peak or if there’s more to come. Last year, his chase, whiff, and strikeout rates all ranked among the best in the league, with his slider emerging as a dominant weapon.
David Robertson: The ageless wonder rebounded last season following an ugly two-month stint with the Marlins in 2023
Robertson, who turns 40 in April, pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 60 appearances last season with the Rangers.
The right-hander has succeeded in New York with both the Yankees and Mets, and his crossover ability in handling righties and lefties is appealing.
Kenley Jansen: The veteran right-hander has a chance to join the 500-save club if he stays as a closer and performs at a solid level over the next two seasons. However, the 37-year-old may need to consider whether he’s willing to accept a setup role with the Mets, potentially sacrificing the opportunity to reach that milestone. While Jansen may not be the dominant force he was during his time with the Dodgers, he remains an effective pitcher, posting a 3.29 ERA and collecting 27 saves last season with the Red Sox.
Kirby Yates: At 37, Yates had a career year in 2024, posting a remarkable 1.17 ERA and recording 33 saves in 61 appearances for the Rangers. His impressive performance earned him a spot as one of the top finishers in the American League, even finishing eighth in Cy Young Award voting.
Craig Kimbrel: Was last season a one-off, or has the nine-time All-Star reached the end of the line? Kimbrel struggled with a 5.33 ERA over 57 appearances for the Orioles, with several rough outings at the tail end of the season contributing to his poor overall numbers. Despite his challenges, Kimbrel still possesses the ability to generate swing-and-miss stuff, as evidenced by his 30.9% whiff rate, which ranked in the 85th percentile across MLB.
Paul Sewald: After three solid seasons, the former Mets reliever faced disappointment in 2024, finishing with a 4.31 ERA over 42 appearances for the Diamondbacks. At 35, Sewald saw a noticeable decline in his four-seam fastball velocity, dropping from 92.2 mph to 91.4 mph.
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