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.

2) NY Mets left-handed trade target Andrew Chafin

Andrew Chafin should have been here for the start. There’s no question about it. He was available in free agency but the Mets chose to let him sign with the Detroit Tigers. Chafin is probably happy with the money but not so much with the way the team has performed around him.

Chafin has done a lot this year to show the Mets he should have been a more serious target of theirs in the offseason. Now 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 25.2 innings of work, he’s also averaging only 2.5 walks per nine to go with his 10.5 strikeouts over 9 frames, too.

It’s a much different situation with Chafin than it is with Mantiply—a member of the team Chafin first began to get noticed on. Arizona is probably going to need to take another step back before marching forward. The Tigers, on the other hand, might try to quickly regroup and become buyers again this winter. With Chafin still under contract, he could be an answer for their bullpen next year.

Things have gotten messy for the Tigers and while they probably would prefer to save some money, Chafin isn’t incredibly expensive. What he can do, however, is help add a body or two to the farm system. Even if they’re lottery ticket additions, Detroit should be fielding calls on their offseason left-handed bullpen addition. The Mets should be one of the first to call.

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?