5 players traded at this year's deadline for the Mets to target in the offseason via free agency

5) NY Mets free agent who was traded at the deadline: Jordan Hicks

Even if you haven’t watched too many St. Louis Cardinals games over the years, Jordan Hicks is someone you know a little about. The man throws hard. It’s what he does. Sent from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline, he turns 26 in September and fits in well as a toy for the Mets to play with.

The results haven’t quite been there for Hicks. He departed the Cardinals with a lifetime 3.98 ERA. He had the stuff to be a closer. Like far too many flamethrowers, he was more ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh than Steve Nebraska. He wrapped up his St. Louis tenure averaging 5.1 walks per 9 innings.

Hicks should have suitors this offseason even if the expectations he came into the league with were never reached. He is a good reliever and plenty of contenders should have him on their radar. He’s not going to fall into the Mets’ laps. Any general manager with sense and patience should look at Hicks as a project worth investing in.

The bullpen-needy Mets are no exception. Whether it’s Billy Eppler, David Stearns, or the most outrageous Mets fan you follow on Twitter calling the shots (only if Steve Cohen completely loses his mind) then Hicks is worth a gander. His age and abilities make him too irresistible not to look at.