Mets: Low end free agent signings that can add depth to the 2020 roster

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Potential Mets target catcher Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledges the crowd after the Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 10-4 in Game 3 of the NLDS to go up two games to one at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The free agent pool still offers the New York Mets plenty of players who can help add to the roster’s depth. Those lower end free agents should be on the team’s radar.

As the New York Mets look to continue building their roster for 2020, it would be in their best interest to scour the remaining 2020 free agent list in search for low-end type players that not only fill a need but can also be signed to either minimal short term major league or minor league with an invitation to Spring Training contracts.

As we saw with the 2019 New York Yankees, multiple injuries do happen and at times seems to be contagious. So it helps to be prepared for injuries by not just developing players already part of your minor league system, but to also have major league ready veteran talent stashed away at AAA or extended spring training that would be ready to step in when injuries do occur.

In order of importance, here is a list of players and their possible role, I would either sign to a minimal one-year major league contract and/or bring them in for a Spring Training audition.

Position Players

Russell Martin – (BUC) Backup Catcher

With the Mets still looking to add some catching depth for 2020, we are progressing through the off-season and catchers continue to keep coming off the board. We need to make a move sooner than later to get someone who can provide the catching depth we need to complete our roster.

Looking at what is left available, I believe Russell Martin would be a backup catcher that makes sense, mainly because of his 14 years of MLB experience which could be used to mentor other young catchers who may join the roster later in the year.

Billy Hamilton – Pinch Runner/Fifth Outfielder

As the Mets look to find that perfect player to fill the newly created 26th roster spot, they need to look for players that provide some skills that are more specialized that can be used during the late innings of National League games. The skills I was thinking about are base running speed and outfield defensive which are two skills that are desperately needed on the current Mets roster.

It would be nice to have someone who is extremely adept at pinch-running and has the ability to steal a base for all the slow guys we currently have in our starting lineup. Billy Hamilton would be able to provide both of these vital and needed skills being the fifth outfielder/defensive replacement for the 2020 Mets.

I believe he could be had for a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 30: Collin McHugh #31 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the fourth inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 30, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Pitching Depth

Collin McHugh – Long Man/Spot Starter

The former Met never really got a chance with the team after a few cups of coffee back in 2012 and 2013. But Collin McHugh landed on his feet with the Houston Astros and has put together a solid career working as both a starter and lately coming out of the bullpen. His career slash line of 3.95 ERA / 1.25 WHIP with 8.7 strikeouts per 9 innings, shows that can be a solid pitcher that can be added to what looks like a much-improved bullpen.

An added value is that he can also provide a spot start or two if the situation called for and I believe he could be had for a 1 year MLB contract with a player/team option for 2021.

Clay Buchholz – Starting Pitching Depth

The two-time All-Star has always had trouble staying healthy, but when he does, Clay Buchholz does have the ability to be a solid four or five starter for any MLB team. His lifetime .566 winning percentage along with his career 3.98 ERA and 1.298 WHIP does show what he can do when he is physically able to take the mound every fifth day.

You know the saying, you can never have enough pitching and with that being so true, why not look to add another solid arm to the organization. Coming off a poor and injured 2019, I believe he can be had for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Josh Tomlin – Pitching Depth

Another starter turned reliever, Josh Tomlin is a control specialist looking for his next team. I remember following Tomlin back in his Cleveland Indians days and enjoyed his style of pitching. I also remember watching him pitch some solid playoff innings for the Indians during the 2016 ALDS and ALCS where he posted wins in both of those series.

He does tend to give up too many home runs and doesn’t throw particularly hard, but he does keep a good job keeping runners off base as his career 1.22 WHIP and 1.3 walks per 9 innings would indicate. I think he could be had for a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Francisco Liriano – Pitching Depth

Someone Matt Harvey can look to in regards to re-inventing himself as a reliever to prolong their major league career. Francisco Liriano, the hard-throwing 36-year-old lefty, is coming off a 2019 year that included a 3.47 ERA and 1.357 WHIP over 70 relief innings. Not the best numbers in the world but still solid for the back end of any MLB bullpen.

He also was a starting pitcher up to last year and can also be looked to for providing a spot start or two when needed. I think Liriano can be had for a minimal 1 year MLB contract or minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Jerad Eickhoff – Pitching Depth

Similar to Harvey, Jerad Eickhoff started his career looking like a stud back in 2015 and 2016. His 2016 slash line of 3.65 ERA / 1.160 WHIP with 167 strikeouts and only 42 walks over 197.1 innings was impressive and I can remember him having some good starts against the Mets. But it was downhill from there and hasn’t had a good year from 2017 to 2019.

But he showed some promising signs last year over his 10 starts in Philadelphia by only allowing 8.9 hits per 9 innings and striking out 7.9 per 9 innings. That being said, he still has some work to do looking at his 2019 slash line of 5.71 ERA / 1.303 WHIP.

I think with a change of scenery and a move to the bullpen could allow Eickhoff to re-invent himself in 2020 and do think he could be had for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Jerry Blevins #50 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Reunions with Recent Mets

Jerry Blevins – Second Lefty Reliever

Another familiar face, pitching with the Mets from late 2015 to 2018, I think Jerry Blevins would be a solid addition to the 2020 bullpen. Blevins was solid in 2019 with the Braves as his 3.90 ERA / 1.268 WHIP would indicate and if you look at career numbers, you can be comfortable knowing what he is going to provide you with his consistency.

With the Mets also needing another southpaw, it looks like Blevins would be a good fit as the second lefty coming out of the pen for the 2020 Mets. I think he could be had for a minimal 1 year MLB contract.

Wilmer Flores – Backup Infielder/Pinch Hitter

One of my favorites Mets player ever, I do hope the Mets front office looks to have a reunion with Wilmer Flores in 2020. Looking at his 2019 stats, he can still rake, as his .317/.361/.487 slash line would indicate. Also, as we know from his days of the Mets, Flores has the ability to play all four infield positions.

Yes, he is not a good fielder at any of those positions but does provide another right-handed power bat which can be useful when needing a DH against lefties in Interleague away games and coming off the bench late in games. I am sure Wilmer would be excited to come back to Flushing and could be had on a minimal 1 year MLB contract.

Matt Harvey – Pitching Depth

I know most people will think I am crazy, but I think we have not seen the last of this former Met. Not sure what happened to him, going from one of the best up and coming pitchers in the league to being so inept over the past four years. I think one of several problems with Matt Harvey was he let all of his early success and go to his head.

So after losing to Bane (The NY Pressure) in The Dark Knight Rises (2016 NY Mets Season) and four years of bouncing around from the Reds, Angels, and Athletics, Harvey should have now been humbled to the point that he is finally ready to start putting in the hard work needed to get back to being a successful major league pitcher again.

But with all that being said, I think he should look to rebuild himself as a reliever. If the Dark Knight can get back to throwing 95+ with his fastball, and changes it up with his good curveball, I think he can be converted into a hard-throwing setup man coming out of the pen for the rest of his career.

All he needs is a chance and I think he can be had for a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

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Who do you think would be a solid low-end free agent signing that makes sense and could provide depth for 2020?

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