Don't overlook the "other guy" from the NY Mets-Brewers trade, Tobias Myers

Just as New York Mets fans were wrapping up celebrations for the signing of Bo Bichette and the trade for Luis Robert, David Stearns went back to work. The Mets followed it up by landing Freddy Peralta in a blockbuster deal, giving the rotation a true top-end arm and reshaping the pitching picture in one move.

But the Peralta trade didn’t bring back just one arm. Tobias Myers was also part of the return, and that’s where this move quietly adds another layer. Milwaukee found a way to use him effectively, and it showed up over the course of last season. It’s not the headline part of the deal, and it isn’t meant to be. But it does point to a subtle upgrade the Mets made alongside the splash.

That sneaky Mets upgrade starts with how Tobias Myers dominated out of the bullpen

To make the Freddy Peralta trade work, the Mets designated Cooper Criswell for assignment. Criswell had just arrived in December after being claimed from Boston, with the appeal centered on versatility. He entered the picture as a depth option who could cover multiple roles if needed.

That versatility mattered because it included relief work. When Criswell was used out of the bullpen with Boston, the results didn’t hold up. In 2024, he posted a 7.53 ERA over 14.1 bullpen innings and allowed a .361 BAA. In 2025, elbow inflammation limited his season, but the relief numbers stayed rough, with a 5.06 ERA and a .327 average allowed over 10.2 innings. That profile makes it hard to trust him in that role.

That’s the bullpen spot the Mets chose to upgrade when they brought in Myers. He wasn’t the headline of the trade, but he directly replaces the type of arm Criswell was supposed to be. In 2024, Myers worked mostly as a starter for Milwaukee, with a few relief appearances, finishing with a combined 3.00 ERA over 138 innings. Then in 2025, after six rough starts, the Brewers found his perfect role.

Out of the bullpen, Myers was a different pitcher. He posted a 1.91 ERA over 28.1 innings, holding hitters to a .219 batting average and a .295 slugging percentage. His slider and splitter drove that success, both holding hitters under a .170 average with a sub-.205 wOBA, while his splitter generated a 39 percent whiff rate.

For the bullpen role Criswell was lined up to fill, Myers is a cleaner fit, and the reason this trade delivered a sneaky upgrade beyond the headline.