3 free agent relievers the Mets could target to replace Adam Ottavino

3) Nick Martinez

We can throw darts at the free agent board looking for an Ottavino replacement all afternoon. The easiest solution is to get the best relief pitcher possible. That’s why Nick Martinez should be an option for the Mets.

Martinez is a unique ballplayer who spent a couple of years overseas before returning to MLB in 2022 with the San Diego Padres. Over the past two seasons he has pitched as a starter and reliever. The results are a 10-8 record and 3.45 ERA.

Martinez may be a bit spiteful toward the Padres right now who turned down his $16 million option for 2024. Understandably so, their financial troubles and the fact that Martinez was utilized mostly as a relief pitcher last season made it an easy call for them. He’d be an expensive relief pitcher addition for the Mets. At 33, the contract length is a bit tougher to predict.

One hiccup in potentially making him a main target is Martinez may pitch himself as a possible starter much like Seth Lugo did. The Padres inked Lugo to a deal fit for a backend starting pitcher and he thrived in the role.

Martinez made only 19 starts over the last two seasons with the other 91 of his appearances coming into the game as a reliever. Maybe he’s not as much of a replacement for Ottavino as he would be a delayed replacement for Trevor Williams or even his ex-Padres teammate, Lugo.