Hard-throwing righty can be an upgrade for the NY Mets over Ryan Helsley, Ryne Stanek

Re-signing Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso is a big part of what the New York Mets can do this offseason. Even if it means keeping much of the band intact, the moves they make around those two will be the difference.

High on the priority list but maybe not the first thing they’ll do is add a right-handed reliever to work as a setup man. Currently absent of this player with their two top relievers being lefties A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley, the Mets have a group of different relievers to sift through carefully to determine who’d be best for the job.

Does Devin Williams sign for a high AAV deal for a season or seek out an opportunity elsewhere to maybe close again? Considering 3 of the 6 hardest fastballs in free agency belonged to the Mets last year and are now free agents, we might want to think they’ll add a hard-thrower. Averaging a 97.7 mph fastball which comes in a half-mile harder than Diaz on average, Seranthony Dominguez is the answer.

Is Seranthony Dominguez a good fit for the Mets bullpen?

Dominguez went from the Baltimore Orioles to the Toronto Blue Jays last year (lucky him) and kept consistency. He finished with a 3.16 ERA and 11.3 K/9 rate. Walks were unusually high for him, reaching 5.2 BB/9. He has been much better in his career.

Wildness followed him in a different way, throwing a league-leading 12 wild pitches. It’s the red flag to be concerned about.

Speed isn’t the only thing the Mets should be looking for in a setup man. However, with two free agents leaving the organization known for throwing hard, it’s an easy conclusion to believe Dominguez will at least get a phone call from Queens.

Spotrac has him projected to get a 3-year deal worth $10.7 million annually. This seems to outprice him for the Mets, not because they’re cheap, but because that many years of commitment seems to go against how David Stearns operates. With as much money as they’ve already committed to Minter for the coming year and the club’s obvious need for a closer, it’s hard to imagine them having three $10+ million relievers and especially one signed up for three seasons who won’t even pitch the ninth.

The Mets may find it difficult to find a hard-throwing bargain in free agency who doesn’t have some of the same problems Ryan Helsley and Ryne Stanek did last year. Kyle Finnegan is one of the better choices and not someone who’d necessarily get a closer gig. Spotrac has him making $10 million per year on a 2-year contract. One less year seems more appetizing.

The relief market is one of the more overlooked places we should expect the Mets to attack. At minimum, a closer and a right-handed setup guy are required. Dominguez appears to be the cream of the crop as far as last year’s performance and meeting the criteria of what they’re losing.