NY Mets: Ranking the top 10 trade targets this offseason

10) Michael Fulmer

Michael Fulmer was a top Mets prospect at the time they traded him away in the 11th hour for Yoenis Cespedes. At the time, many were conflicted on the trade, but after a World Series appearance later that season for the Mets and arm troubles over the next few season for Fulmer, it seemed the Mets were on the winning side.

Now, six years later, the Mets should be involved with another trade, this time with Fulmer coming to Queens. The right-hander, coming back from a slew of injuries,  made the transition as a starter to the bullpen and it paid off. In 48 relief appearances this season, Fulmer compiled a 2.97 ERA, 14 saves and 73 strikeouts in 69.5 IP.

Fulmer’s advanced metrics suggested 2021 wasn’t a fluke either. In addition to posting his lowest hard-hit percentage since 2017, Fulmer also landed in the 8th percentile in chase rate, 74th percentile in whiff rate and was among the top group in both exit velocity and fastball velocity.

The Mets, who are in need of starting pitching, are always in need of bullpen help. Mets relievers were actually more solid than fans have grown accustomed to, but there’s still the Edwin Diaz conundrum, and reinforcing the end of games never hurts.

Bringing Fulmer back to Flushing would help add to a bullpen that has been inconsistent to say the least the last few years. Looking around the majors, a strong bullpen is an imperative piece to any serious championship run and the Mets would be wise to call up Detroit to see what the asking price would be.