NY Mets rumors: $3 million bargain free agent they should’ve signed on the radar

Lefty relievers are never more popular than at the MLB trade deadline. How often is it not a need for the New York Mets? According to the latest Mets rumors, they’re not fully content with the southpaw situation in the bullpen. Brooks Raley was activated on Friday, but a second lefty remains a possibility and unquestionable need.

As Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports, Danny Coulombe is on their trade deadline radar. The 35-year-old lefty is having a spectacular season for the Minnesota Twins, and understandably a favorite of fans and apparently the front office to join an ailing Mets bullpen.

The Danny Coulombe Mets rumors are ones that should’ve been solved in the offseason

Coulombe went to the Twins for only $3 million this offseason. An obvious bargain right now, the Twins have been rewarded for their faith in him with a fully healthy season following a year where he had just under 30 innings. As much of a LOOGY in today’s world as one can have, his games total is eclipsing his innings by a noticeable amount. He finished the first half with 26.2 innings in 35 games and a 0.68 ERA. 

Rather than pair Coulombe behind A.J. Minter, the Mets chose to keep a different Danny, Danny Young, around. His late-season fading in 2024 didn’t scare them off from giving him another shot. He began the year as one of the club’s most obvious players to replace. A season-ending injury shortly after they lost Minter eliminated that storyline prematurely and actually created more bullpen chaos.

Coulombe should have plenty of suitors given his affordable contract in comparison to how fantastic he has been. Despite some health issues, his last few years have been quietly brilliant. He finished last year with a 2.12 ERA with the Baltimore Orioles. His 9.7 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 are unheard of. Amazingly, still at 9.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 through the first half of the season, Coulombe is an awesome strike-throwing machine worth going after.

The Twins aren’t quite out of a potential Wild Card spot. However, they’re kidding themselves to think holding onto a free-agent-to-be like Coulombe would be wise. Expect him to be on the move. Hope the Mets are one of the more aggressive clubs in their pursuit.