Mets lefty reliever options: 1 underrated free agent, 1 bold target, 1 trade to make

1 Bold Option

Going after Tanner Scott would be a very bold choice for the Mets to make. Scott will be looking for closer money, and while he may not have a direct path to regular save opportunities with the Mets, they’re not opposed to throwing money around to improve the team. Scott would be a huge addition to the Mets’ pen.

Scott has established himself as one of the best relievers in baseball over the last two seasons with the Miami Marlins, and then the San Diego Padres after the 2024 trade deadline. Not only does he bring volume, but also high-quality work. Only three other relievers have more IP than Scott’s 150 frames dating back to the start of the 2023 campaign. Scott has pitched to an outstanding 2.04 ERA, 2.53 FIP, and 1.05 WHIP throughout those innings.

Scott induces strikeouts at a hefty 31.3% rate to pair with an elite 0.36 HR/9. Scott has gotten opponents to hit ground balls just over 50% of the time with a 50.9% GB%. Like Hill, he is great at limiting hard contact with just an 84.8 MPH exit velocity and a 4% barrel rate. The only downside to Scott’s game is the walks, as he put up a 10% walk percentage between 2023 and 2024. 

Scott is arguably the best lefty reliever in baseball right now. He ranks in the top five in both ERA and FIP among all bullpen arms since the outset of the ‘23 season. His 31.3% strikeout rate is the 21st best in baseball. Scott also has the 4th lowest exit velocity, 10th best barrel rate, and the 27th highest ground ball rate.

Scott may still find a handful of save opportunities. Diaz only saved 20 games, and five Mets relievers recorded multiple saves, including Reed Garrett and Jake Diekman, who had four each. If the Mets signed Scott, he and Diaz would have the potential to be one of the best late-inning duos across all of baseball.