The Mets should take a gamble on an American League reliever who just hit the waiver wire

As the New York Mets close in on the final month of the season in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, there are still some areas of improvement that the front office is still looking at. One of the top areas that David Stearns should be keeping an eye on is the bullpen, and a potential arm just became available on the waiver wire, surprisingly from an American League contender.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Dillon Tate was designated for assignment in a somewhat surprising move, and he should firmly be on the Mets' radar as they look to upgrade their bullpen options ahead of Closer Edwin Diaz. Before a flexor strain had cost Tate his 2023 campaign, he was a legitimate late-inning weapon out of the Orioles bullpen, but he has struggled since returning from injury this season.

The Mets should continue to look to add any additional bullpen help that they can as they approach the month of September.

Tate has put up a bloated 4.59 ERA over 29 appearances in 2024, while also being sent down to the minors on a couple of occasions to try and right the ship. In 16 appearances down in Triple-A his numbers have been significantly better as he has posted a 2.16 ERA down in Norfolk for the Orioles. While his velocity has been down from where it normally has been in the past, his ground ball rate has stayed fairly consistent down in Triple-A which is his bread and butter.

Should the Mets take a gamble on an arm like Tate's, he would have two years of club control remaining and a couple of minor league options, which could provide the front office with flexibility if Tate were to struggle in Queens. It's a low-risk gamble for a ballclub that is still looking for some more reinforcements in the bullpen and it also would provide the Mets with another potential option for their bullpen next season.

The Mets seem to have success with reclamation projects when it comes to pitchers and maybe Tate could be next in line with a change of scenery, as well as a helping hand from pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. If anybody could help him get back to his prime form as the dominant reliever he was in 2022, it could be Hefner (see Luis Severino, Sean Manaea).