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

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.