Phillies stole perfect NY Mets roster addition for $6M, here's how they pay them back

The Philadelphia Phillies just nailed their bid and walked off with a shiny midseason addition, edging out the competition by just enough to win the showcase item: one veteran reliever with October experience and no assembly required. The New York Mets had their eyes on the same prize, but in the end, David Robertson signed with their rivals.

The game isn’t over yet. Now it’s the Mets’ turn to bid on the next prize, Minnesota Twins reliever Griffin Jax, another rising arm the Phillies have shown interest in. All the Amazins need is to make the move every Price Is Right fan knows; outbid Philly by exactly one dollar (or a slightly better prospect), and suddenly they’re the ones headed to the Showcase Showdown, leaving Philly stuck with the consolation prize.

The Mets may have missed on Robertson, but Griffin Jax could be an even better fit for what they need now.

Robertson may be 40, but he’s far from washed. He posted a sharp 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 99 strikeouts in 72 innings for the Texas Rangers last year, showing he can still handle high-leverage spots and pitch in just about any inning. After opting out of his Rangers deal, he waited until mid-July to sign, eventually landing with the Phillies as a dependable, plug-and-play veteran. It’s a safe, sensible move for a team that values postseason experience.

But the Mets don’t need safe. They need impact, and Griffin Jax is the perfect fit. The 30-year-old Twins reliever pairs a high-90s fastball with a sweeping slider and a changeup that tunnels well off both. His surface stats are solid: a 3.92 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. But the recent trend is what turns heads.

Since April 22, Jax has posted a 2.16 ERA while holding opponents to a .208 average. Even more impressive, his strikeout, chase, and whiff rates all rank in the top 2 percent of Major League Baseball. That is elite territory for any reliever, especially one potentially available at the deadline. He wouldn’t just fill a need for the Mets. He would be a high-leverage arm tailor-made for getting the ball to Edwin Díaz.

If the Phillies think they already won the bullpen round, the Mets still have a chance to spin the wheel and steal the bigger prize. Griffin Jax isn’t just a smart counter to Robertson; he’s a younger, higher-upside player who could shift the balance in late innings. One bold move, one savvy bid, and suddenly it’s the Mets walking off with the keys while Philly settles for the matching toaster.