It seems like the NY Mets are content with their bullpen after all

The New York Mets have been relatively quiet on the bullpen front this offseason, even after bolstering their relief corps with the additions of A.J. Minter and Ryne Stanek, giving them solid options for the setup role. While other teams have been snapping free-agent relievers, the Mets appear to be standing pat.

Danny Coulombe signed with the Minnesota Twins for a very affordable $3 million for one year, while Tim Hill re-signed with the crosstown rival New York Yankees for $2.86 million in 2025, with a 2026 club option. These reasonable contracts raise questions about the Mets' apparent lack of interest.

The Mets appear to be set with their current bullpen

After the recent signings, it seems the Mets are inclined to avoid overspending on their bullpen and are prepared to move forward with Danny Young as their primary left-handed option. Young, while less expensive than Coulombe or Hill, also brings less experience and doesn't possess the same elite stuff. This suggests the Mets are prioritizing internal options and cost-effectiveness over established veterans.

Tim Hill, in particular, would have been an intriguing addition. His ability to limit hard contact and induce ground balls is exceptional, leading to an elite xwOBA of .299, placing him in the top 1% of the league. While his strikeout numbers are low (10% K%), his ability to keep the ball on the ground would have been a valuable asset.

On the other hand, Coulombe offers a different profile. He boasts better swing-and-miss stuff than Hill (29.9% K%), along with superior control and command (4.7% BB%). His impressive 2.12 ERA last season is tempered somewhat by his vulnerability to hard contact (47.7% hard hit percentage).

The Mets' apparent faith in Young stems from his improved swing-and-miss capabilities. A change in his pitch mix, emphasizing his sweeper, resulted in a whiff percentage of 51.6% in 2024. This newfound effectiveness seems to have convinced the Mets that he's ready for a larger role.

Ultimately, the Mets' lack of movement in the free-agent market for left-handed relievers suggests they are content with the bullpen they've assembled. They appear ready to trust their internal options and avoid a bidding war for available arms.  The 2025 season will reveal whether this strategy pays off, or if the Mets will regret passing on opportunities to further strengthen their relief corps.