3 Mets trade targets the team should start scouting if they get more bad news about Brooks Raley

2) JoJo Romero

As obvious as it is for the Rockies to wave the white flag, the St. Louis Cardinals might convince themselves to live another day. They aren’t as far out of contention as Colorado. However, a slow start and a whole lot of underperforming offensive players could have them selling for the second straight year. One player fitting this theme of Raley replacements is lefty JoJo Romero.

A groundball pitcher who relies heavily on his sinker, Romero would fit in nicely as a member of the Mets bullpen based on the team’s philosophy of having pitchers with different strengths. Guys with different kinds of stuff, arm slots, etc. were a part of the process in building what has thus far been a successful group of relievers. Not prone to give up home runs, his better attribute to the bullpen might be throwing strikes. He has shown excellent command this season.

Romero has dropped his ERA down to 1.42 in 19 innings with a strikeout per frame. He has walked just 2 batters and is the proud owner of a ridiculous 0.52 WHIP at the moment. A heavy 60% groundball percentage and a hard-hit percentage under 30% help to explain why he has been so remarkable.

A costly trade deadline consideration for sure due to his abilities, the Cardinals should put a tax on it for the extra two years of control he has. Romero is a rising lefty out of the bullpen. It’ll cost more than a utility infielder to get him like it did back in 2022 when the Philadelphia Phillies traded him away for Edmundo Sosa.