Three Mets offseason predictions for the month of November

Prediction Three: Mets sign a free agent reliever

If the television show Charmed taught me anything it’s about the power of three. So, I’m going to have to make a third prediction.

I don’t expect Van Wagenen to make another blockbuster deal this November. Anything major he does will wait until December at the earliest. However, I can see him adding a relief pitcher pretty early on this winter.

The level of relief pitcher the Mets add at this point won’t be stupendous. I’m thinking it will be someone better than Luis Avilan yet far behind the reputation Justin Wilson brought with him in 2019.

One scenario I can envision is a quick offseason reunion with veteran reliever Brad Brach. Like Panik, he joined the Mets last year in August after he was released. He pitched well down the stretch and is certainly a candidate to return in 2020.

Brach is an older relief pitcher who won’t earn much on the open market this winter. I would like to see the Mets pounce quickly and lock him up. If the team potentially moves Seth Lugo into the rotation, adding bullpen arms to the roster is even more essential. Why not get started early?

There are other relievers of Brach’s ilk who will be free agents and available through trades. The Mets need at least two guys they can count on—likely three just in case one doesn’t work out.

In the early part of the offseason, many free agents are unwilling to take a pay cut. Even so, there are lesser arms who know their value and would be willing to sign with the Mets. I’m noncommittal to predicting what level of reliever they get. I do think there’s a really good chance we see Brodie bring in at least arm even if he never sees the light of major league baseball.

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What are your November predictions for the Mets?