MLB rumors: NY Mets should trade for this readily available reliever to pair with Edwin Diaz

The New York Mets could use some help in the bullpen. Reed Garrett is currently listed as their set-up man behind closer Edwin Diaz. Although Garrett had a solid year with good underlying numbers, the Mets should look to the trade market to find some reliever depth. One talented arm that has reportedly gotten some trade attention is San Francisco Giants’ flamethrower Camilo Doval.

Doval was one of baseball’s better late-inning arms from 2021 through 2023. Doval pitched 162.1 innings, all with the SF Giants between these three seasons, working to a 2.77 ERA, 2.97 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP. The right-hander’s 9.6% walk rate was about his only downside. He struck out 30.2% of opponents with a 0.61 HR/9 rate. Doval was immune to hard contact with just an 87.4 MPH exit velocity and 5.3% barrel rate.

Camilo Doval is a strong bounceback candidate or the Mets to trade for

After making the All-Star Game in 2023 during just his age-25 campaign, expectations were reasonably high for Doval. But Doval failed to reach those expectations. Doval only pitched 59 innings, working to a 4.88 ERA, 3.71 FIP, and 1.58 WHIP. While Doval still carried a strong 28.8% K% and 0.76 HR/9, he struggled mightily with walks. His 14.4% BB% was the second highest in baseball behind Aroldis Chapman. Doval got hit hard and had an 89.5 MPH exit velo and an 8.6% barrel rate against him. The right-hander struggled so badly that he relinquished his closer role to Ryan Walker.

Doval’s underlying numbers were still respectable. He had a 3.36 xERA, 3..63 xFIP, and 3.73 SIERA. Although those were still downgrades from his 2021-2023 seasons, they were still above average, nonetheless. Doval’s stuff was just as good as ever, with a 113 Stuff+ rating. Some of his pitches got better, with his slider gaining movement while not losing velocity.

Doval is only 27 and will end 2025 at 28 years old. Doval has comeback candidate written all over him. He is also under control through the 2027 season via arbitration, so he can be a part of the Mets’ bullpen for multiple more seasons. If Doval can bounce back in 2025, he and Edwin Diaz would be one of the best late-inning duos in all of baseball.