3 trades the Mets should immediately make to replace Joely Rodriguez

DFA time has come for Joely Rodriguez. The New York Mets gambled and lost on making him one half of their left-handed duo to begin the year. Chasen Shreve was already DFA’d. Next, it’s Rodriguez’s turn.

Now 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA after two bad outings after the All-Star Break, the Mets need to make a trade and designated him for assignment to clear the roster spot.

It’s like Red said, “Get busy trading, or get busy dying in the standings because you don’t have a trusted lefty in your bullpen.” Billy Eppler needs to make a trade ASAP and replace Rodriguez on the roster with one of these three lefties.

1) NY Mets trade to replace Joely Rodriguez on the roster: Andrew Chafin

The Mets should have signed Andrew Chafin in the offseason. He was right there. Mustache and all. Ready to get picked up after the MLB lockout.

Instead, the Mets let him go to the Detroit Tigers where he has had a fine season but hasn’t experienced much winning. Chafin could stick around with the Tigers beyond 2022 but they could also find themselves tempted to move on from him after only half of a season. They are a team that might be more competitive next season. This year, however, they’re having an epically tough time at scoring runs.

Chafin is 0-1 with a 2.73 ERA in his first 35 appearances this season which have spanned 29.2 innings of work. It’s not quite as excellent as the 1.83 ERA he posted last season. However, his strikeout rate is up to 10.6 per 9 innings of work.

There isn’t a reliever out there that fans have been screaming about more. With a player option attached for next season as well as a buyout, it’s a possible short-term gig but maybe the first step toward a reunion.

3) NY Mets trade to replace Joely Rodriguez on the roster: Matt Moore

Matt Moore deserves this year’s Oliver Perez Award. He has transitioned into a full-time bullpen role for the Texas Rangers with some outstanding results. Through his first 44.2 innings, Moore is 4-2 with a 1.61 ERA. He hasn’t allowed a home run yet and has been more than a one-inning guy for Texas this year.

If paired with the right player, Moore might be a good buy for the Mets as one of two lefties for their bullpen. Whether it’s Chafin, Puk, or even someone like All-Star Joe Mantiply, Moore is someone the Mets need to heavily consider.

Moore is a pure rental and someone who has pitched in a big spot. His most recent playoff appearance was way back in 2016 as a member of the San Francisco Giants. We can’t judge him much on anything from way back then. He was a young(er) starting pitcher.

The Rangers look less likely to buy or even stick with what they already have. Although it’s starter Martin Perez who has drawn the majority of trade interest, the Mets should have their eye on replacing Rodriguez with Moore.

The cost shouldn’t be anything so nuts that the Mets lose resources they could trade elsewhere. The Rangers were hoping to let Moore turn his career around. Now is the time to capitalize on it.