New York Mets: Four free agents worth a spring training invite

Tony Sipp

While the Mets did fill a lot of holes in the team this off-season, one area they did not address is picking up a second left-handed pitcher for the bullpen.

Going into Spring Training, the only southpaw currently slotted for the Mets’ bullpen is Justin Wilson, who was a consistent hand last season but missed the early part of the season due to injury.

Beyond him, the team’s only other options for left-handers are minor league players such as Daniel Zamora, who have had prior stints in the major leagues.

While them off completely, it would behoove New York to invite another lefty to spring training as insurance in case one of their other pitchers don’t perform well enough to warrant a spot on the big league team, or in case injury strikes.

The best left-handed reliever still on the market is Tony Sipp, who should be a familiar name to Mets fans, as he spent 2019 with the rival Washington Nationals.

Sipp is an 11 year veteran of the game and has been a consistent lefty throughout his career, amassing a 3.72 ERA after pitching in just over 500 innings.

Admittedly, 2019 was a down year for Sipp, as he posted a 4.71 ERA in 36 games. However, the year prior with the Houston Astros, Sipp logged a career-best 1.86 ERA in 54 games.

On a minor league deal, he would be a low risk, high reward signing for the Mets. He would cost virtually nothing for New York to bring in for a look, and his upside is arguably better than any of the team’s current options in the minor leagues.