5 lefty relievers the Mets should target in trades

The New York Mets opened themselves up with a roster spot and slot when they designated Chasen Shreve for assignment last week. The team has now assured us all that they will indeed be looking at possible trades for a left-handed reliever. If not, what are they doing?

Lefty relievers are not quite as specialized as they used to be yet still important. Their skill at get left-handed hitters out at a higher rate is important. Late in the season and the playoffs, you can’t ignore this role in your bullpen.

With Joely Rodriguez also shaky and no truly great options in the minors, these are five left-handed relievers we could expect the Mets to possibly target in a trade this summer.

1) NY Mets left-handed trade target Joe Mantiply

Do the Arizona Diamondbacks try to convince themselves Joe Mantiply is part of their future or do they capitalize on his awesome season?

His numbers this year are mouth-watering. Through 33 innings, he is 1-2 with a 1.91 ERA. He has walked only a single batter and struck out 34. He appears to be the exact sort of “momentum” guy you want to ride with as your main lefty.

Mantiply is the kind of player you never thought the Mets would need yet suddenly should be all over. His early success this season with Arizona after a very good 2021 featuring a 3.40 ERA in 39.2 innings of work is promising. Likely inexpensive, he is the kind of guy Arizona should flip now while the 31-year-old is at his most desirable.

3) NY Mets left-handed trade target A.J. Puk

A little tough to pry away, A.J. Puk is close enough to arbitration where the Oakland Athletics might be willing to listen to offers. The former sixth overall pick is having a solid year out of the bullpen for arguably the worst team in baseball. Is he the next player they trade away?

After 35 innings this year in 31 appearances, Puk is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA. He has averaged 1.8 walks and 9.3 strikeouts each per nine innings of work. He is right in line with the two names previously mentioned. There is a great benefit to landing him because of his age, 27.

Puk would be someone the Mets could build with for a couple of years. He is young, under team control, and might have a lot of upside. The team has a lot of empty spaces in their bullpen as soon as next year. Puk could be one of the guys to fill a hole.

The price on Puk is different from Mantiply and Chafin. It should be higher. Mantiply happened to unexpectedly work out for Arizona. Chafin was already a well-known name before landing in Detroit.

Puk isn’t far enough removed from being a noted pitching prospect for Oakland. His age should make him a little higher to acquire. It can’t hurt to try.

4) NY Mets left-handed trade target Tanner Scott

The number one spot in Michael Cahill’s Mets trade target power rankings last week, Tanner Scott is a left-handed reliever for the Miami Marlins closing out games for them regularly. Even if the history of success isn’t there, he might be a major upgrade over what Shreve was and what Rodriguez will continue to be.

Overall season numbers for him include a 4-3 record, 4.15 ERA, 11 saves, and 13.5 strikeouts per nine. He is walking a lot of batters with 5.5 per nine already this season. The Miami closer has held lefties to only a .135 batting average so perhaps he is bound to get better in a more traditional role for a southpaw reliever.

Making trades within the division can be difficult. The Marlins, however, might be willing at the right price. Let’s not forget the Mets were already able to add AJ Ramos, Kelly Johnson, and others in trade deadline deals within the division. They also willing sent Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Bautista to the Philadelphia Phillies for practically nothing.

Scott wouldn’t be a closer in New York or even a guy to really consider for the role. However, it’s not out of the question for him to be the top lefty setup man on the roster.

5) NY Mets left-handed trade target Matt Moore

Probably the cheapest trade target on this list, longtime starting pitcher Matt Moore has found a new home pitching in relief with the Texas Rangers. As long as the Rangers are out of the playoff chase, he should be very much available.

What makes Moore intriguing is that he spent most of his career as a starter. Injuries always got in the way and he has now found some new life in Texas as a left-handed reliever in 2022.

Consider Moore the “Oliver Perez tribute” trade candidate. He’s 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA after 36.2 innings of work out of the Texas bullpen in 27 games. His strikeouts are high at 10.1 per nine while the walks are also over 5. Moore has actually been better against righties than lefties this year. Nonetheless, one has to wonder if the .169 batting average versus righties and .262 lefties have hit against him will even out a little more.

One thing the two types of hitters have in common: none have yet to hit a home run against him.

Moore definitely is a bit of a gamble because of the short history of him succeeding in relief. He wasn’t particularly good for the 2021 Phillies in either role. Could it be that what we’re witnessing this year with the Rangers is fool’s gold?