2. Danny Coulombe
With AJ Minter and Edwin Díaz locking down the back end of the Mets’ bullpen, the key to success lies in finding reliable arms to bridge the gap between the starters and the late-inning stars. That’s where Danny Coulombe enters the conversation. A 10-year lefty veteran, he has quietly become exactly what the Mets need—a dependable reliever who limits walks and knows how to get outs, as recent history suggests. The catch? Injuries to his hip and throwing elbow (bone chips) sidelined him for significant parts of the 2022 and 2024 seasons. However, those concerns could work in the Mets’ favor, making this sneaky-good lefty an affordable option on a low-risk, one-year deal.
The value Danny Coulombe could bring to the Mets is perfectly illustrated by his performance with the Orioles in 2023—and, in a smaller sample, 2024 (though plagued by injuries). Over the past two seasons, the Mets’ bullpen has been among the top 10 in MLB in walks allowed, a stat that doesn’t exactly scream “winning formula.” Enter Coulombe, who posted an impressive 5.7% walk rate over 51.1 innings in 2023, landing him in the 87th percentile. He followed that up in 2024 with an even better 4.7% walk rate over 29.1 innings. If the Mets want to tighten up their bullpen and cut down on free passes, Coulombe might be just the guy to make it happen.
Then there are the jaw-dropping numbers from Coulombe’s 2023 campaign: a 33.9% chase rate, 29.8% whiff rate, 27.6% strikeout rate, 30.4% hard-hit rate, and a 3.06 xERA—all ranking in the 75th percentile or better. The secret? It wasn’t a mechanical overhaul but rather the addition of a sweeper to his arsenal during his shortened 2022 season. By 2023, he was throwing it 18% of the time, and in 2024, that number jumped to an impressive 28.5%—with spectacular results. Opponents hit just .120 against the pitch in 2024, with a .160 slugging percentage and a 38.2% whiff rate. It’s clear Coulombe’s sweeper isn’t just a wrinkle in his game—it’s a weapon that could make a serious impact in the Mets’ bullpen.