NY Mets: Five free agents to return the pitching staff to prominence

Re-sign RHP Erasmo Ramírez and bring back some of last year’s cast members

Since joining the Mets 40-man roster in early September, RHP Erasmo Ramírez proved to be a welcome addition to a shaky bullpen. Prior to joining the orange and blue in 2020, the 30-year-old reliever had spent the last 8 seasons in the American League.

After coming to the Mets late in early September, Ramírez emerged as a hidden gem for the bullpen in the 6 games he was called in to relieve. Originally picked up on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training last offseason, Ramírez made 6 game appearances toward the end of the season, during which he held batters to a .163 BA in 14.1 IP while maintaining a 0.63 ERA. Not bad for someone management took a flier on last January.

Similarly, LHP Chasen Shreve was another surprise for last season’s struggling Mets pen. And like Ramírez, he can be even more valuable in 2021. In 17 appearances this season, Shreve posted a 3.96 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and struck out 34 batters while holding them to a .191 BA.

To that end, by bringing veteran LHP Justin Wilson back in 2021 to supplant their left handed relief depth, the Mets could fortify their bullpen by providing manager Luis Rojas with another hard-throwing southpaw to turn to in late inning spots.

Finally, it will also be interesting to see how RHP Miguel Castro will perform after being acquired mid-season last year in a string of head-scratching trades from Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen that did nothing to turn their 2020 campaign around.

However, if Castro succeeds in 2020, then perhaps this particular trade might be looked at favorably in hindsight. He deserves that chance – as do these other under-the-radar relievers the Mets were fortunate enough to find last season.