Wishful NY Mets trade for Jesus Luzardo didn't happen, here's a Marlins player they could still add

The New York Mets needed starting pitching (prior to signing Sean Manaea). Going after Jesus Luzardo from the division rival Miami Marlins made sense on paper. Luzardo was a prime rebound candidate with a lot of potential with two more seasons of control remaining, and only projected to make about $6 million in arbitration this off-season.

Unfortunately, nothing came to fruition between the Mets and Marlins, and the Marlins ultimately traded Luzardo to another division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies for a trio of prospects. However, while a Luzardo to the Mets deal never materialized, the Mets could still go after some of the Marlins players, especially when it comes to their relievers.

The Marlins have a multitude of relievers with potential, including Declan Cronin, Calvin Faucher, and Anthony Bender. However, among their relievers, the best fit for the Mets would be left-hander Andrew Nardi. The left-hander had a 5.04 ERA in 49.2 innings. But don’t be fooled by his surface-level ERA. Nardi did a lot of things right in 2024 that could lead to a rebound in 2025.

Nardi struck out a third of opponents last year. Only nine lefty relievers had a K% of 30% or greater in 40+ IP, with Nardi having the fifth-highest. He also was not very prone to walks, with an 8.6% BB%, but had an unimpressive 1.27 HR/9. His solid peripherals led to a quality 3.33 FIP. However, there’s more evidence to suggest Nardi is in for a big 2025 season.

Andrew Nardi would make a great fit for the Mets' bullpen.

Nardi was decent at limiting hard contact with an 88.2 MPH exit velo (68th percentile) and 7.4% barrel rate (56th percentile). He was also above the 90th percentile of expected statistics like xERA (2.76) and xBA (.194). That should help him limit home runs better next season. Nardi clocked in with a 3.35 xFIP, along with a 2.77 SIERA and 3.33 FIP.

While Nardi may not be a flamethrower, as he was in the 50th percentile of fastball velo, his stuff is plenty good enough. He had a 104 Stuff+ rating in 2024. However, he’s displayed an even higher level of ability, with a 112 Stuff+ rating in 2023. For his career, Stuff+ pins him at 107. Nardi is primarily a four-seamer/slider pitcher, both pitches having above-average movement.

While the Marlins have a handful of relievers who could help the Mets’ pen out, Nardi makes the best fit by far. The Mets have just one lefty reliever on their 40-man roster, that being Danny Young. Nardi is also a good contract, as he’s only 26 and is an entire season away from arbitration. If the Mets go after anyone on the Marlins, it should be Nardi.