Top 3 bullpen targets the Mets must add to the roster

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Mets
Aug 25, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Collin McHugh (31) and | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

#2 Collin McHugh

A name that might sound familiar to some Mets fans is Collin McHugh. He was on the Mets from 2012-2013, making 11 appearances and posting an ERA of 8.26. The Mets are where McHugh began his career and his first start was pretty memorable, posting seven shutout innings allowing just two hits and striking out nine against the Rockies.

After that, things went downhill. Once McHugh found his way in Houston in 2014, he turned things around. He was a starter in the beginning of his six year tenure in Houston before moving to the bullpen and really having success. Then after opting out of the 2020 season, McHugh had a dominant 2021 season with the Rays.

This season McHugh went 6-1 with a 1.55 ERA in 37 appearances for the Rays. He allowed just 6.8 H/9, 0.4 HR/9, 1.7 BB/9, and struck out 10.4/9. As a former starter, McHugh was relied upon a lot to go multiple innings. He threw 64 innings in 37 appearances in a variety of different roles. He was used as an opener, a long man, and a late game arm.

If the Mets were to sign McHugh I'd want them to use him in a similar role. He's another arm in addition to Seth Lugo who can go multiple innings. He's also another late game right handed arm who can get both hands out. Lefties slashed just .163/.230/.213 against him with no home runs in 80 at bats. While he isn't a lefty, he can be relied upon to get big left handed bats out.

McHugh does everything you'd want a reliever to do. Strikes guys out, doesn't walk people, keeps the ball in the ballpark, goes multiple innings, and can pitch in multiple roles. He'd be a perfect fit in this Mets bullpen.

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