12 relievers the Mets should target ahead of the trade deadline

3) NY Mets trade target Daniel Bard

It’s time for Daniel Bard to leave Colorado.

The righty has been excellent over 25 appearances and 26.1 innings pitched. He’s allowed just 13 hits, six earned runs, 12 walks, and struck out 34 batters. His ERA is 2.05, his FIP is 3.14, his WHIP is 0.95, and his ERA+ is 232.

Bard is basically a two-pitch pitcher. He throws his 98 mile per hour sinker 48% of the time and his 88 mile per hour slider another 48%. He’s got a changeup and four-seamer, but he only uses them the remaining 4% of the time. His fastballs are in the 97th percentile in velocity and 95th percentile in spin. His slider is a truly gross pitch, with hitters batting just .080 and slugging .160 against it. It has a run value of -4.

Bard is another guy who excels at limiting optimal contact. He is in the 99th percentile in xwOBA, xERA, xBA, and xSLG, 92nd percentile in strikeout rate, 86th percentile in average exit velocity, 83rd in whiff rate, 82nd percentile in hard hit rate, and 79th percentile in barrel rate. He’s only got two blue dots: his walk rate and his chase rate. When he gives up contact, 54% of it is on the ground.

Bard is a free agent this offseason, so he is a rental. The Rockies don’t need late-inning relievers, so it would behoove them to move Bard for a prospect while they have the chance. The Mets also could attempt to pair Bard and the aforementioned Tyler Kinley together.