These 3 free agent relievers are "musts" for Buck Showalter's bullpen

3) It’s time the Mets bring Michael Fulmer back

Another reunion candidate, sort of, would involve the Mets signing free agent Michael Fulmer. You’ve never actually seen him pitch for the Mets; at least not the New York version of them.

Fulmer was one of the player unloaded in the Yoenis Cespedes trade back in 2015. He won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2016 and was an All-Star in 2017. It all fell apart for him after. Fulmer’s numbers regressed and the Tigers permanently moved him to the bullpen during the 2021 season.

The transition saved his career. Fulmer was a very good back-of-the-bullpen piece for them over the last two seasons. In 2022, the Tigers traded him to the Minnesota Twins where he wasn’t quite as good but didn’t implode either. The same cannot be said about the rest of the team. They rolled over and finished third in the American League Central.

Through 120.2 innings as a reliever, Fulmer is 9-10 with a 2.98 ERA. He doesn’t turn 30 until March which is something else to like about him. Would a third year on the contract actually make sense? The Mets do need to consider relievers they can have under contract for a couple of years.

Fulmer in the sixth, Chafin in the seventh, and Ottavino in the eighth would be a superb lead-in to Edwin Diaz in the ninth.