NY Mets may need to act quickly if they have interest in a Devin Williams alternative

There’s Edwin Diaz and then there’s everybody else. Within the everybody else category are more tiers. There are the closers, the closers/setup men, and then there are the middle relievers. The New York Mets could use one from each category.

Flirting with the idea of having a bullpen with Diaz and Devin Williams is like sliding into the DMs of a recently married and deeply faithful celebrity you have nothing in common with. It just doesn’t seem realistic for the Mets, a team with far greater needs than just adding two expensive relievers, to achieve.

There are some backup plan options for the Mets. This includes Kyle Finnegan who has closer experience, but might be a better option as a setup man on a more affordable deal. If the Mets have any interest whatsoever, they may need to act quickly. There is reportedly mutual interest in remaining with the Detroit Tigers.

The Mets can’t wait around if Kyle Finnegan is on their offseason wish list

Finishing with an excellent 1.50 ERA with the Tigers after a 4.38 ERA performance with the Washington Nationals to begin the year, Finnegan has been one of the more consistent relievers in baseball the last few seasons. Outside of the 2.92 ERA he posted as a rookie in 2020, it has always finished with a range of last year’s 3.47 through 3.76.

With Finnegan, you know what you’re getting. He’ll strike out about a batter per inning. A strong ground ball rate of 47% in his career, he’s borderline closer quality without the massive numbers to back it up.

The Nationals used him for 108 saves with the Tigers getting his last 4 in a brief 18-inning showing. Already 34 with a projected contract coming his way for 2-years and $20 million total, he’s a reasonable buy for the Mets if loading up on relief help is a priority. Different from Williams because he isn’t necessarily a candidate to get paid a high AAV for a year and then re-enter the free agent pool, he is someone the Mets should at least be contemplating as a high-leverage righty for their bullpen. At the moment, their best option is for Adbert Alzolay to be the solution there. He’s coming off of Tommy John surgery.