NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 players signed mid-year that could’ve made a difference

3) Craig Kimbrel

We can’t blame Stearns for this one, but it’s worth noting how competent Craig Kimbrel was finishing off the year with the Houston Astros. Compared to other Mets relievers, he would have been a huge improvement.

Kimbrel appeared in 13 games and logged 11 innings for the Astros, pitching to a 2.45 ERA. Not quite his old self but better than the model the Baltimore Orioles were fooled into fielding on their roster in 2024, it was a worthwhile Hail Mary addition for a team that needed every win to get into the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the Astros came up short to the mightier Seattle Mariners and the rest of the AL Wild Card clubs.

Ryne Stanek is an obvious player who could have been pushed aside in favor of Kimbrel (even Rico Garcia). His implosive tendency had him coming up small when the Mets needed him most. The loss of Reed Garrett to the IL (as well as his struggles) finds additional room for Kimbrel. Ryan Helsley was never going anywhere, but gosh, the Mets could have saved themselves that trade and just signed Kimbrel to a minor league deal.

I know, I know. It’s all hindsight. Yes, it is. And the evidence to suggest it was a missed opportunity by the Mets to add Kimbrel isn’t fair. The accumulation of no major mid-season additions, however, adds him to the pile.