3 lefty candidates to replace Chasen Shreve in the bullpen after DFA

2) Mets roster replacement for Chasen Shreve: Alex Claudio promoted from the minors

One of the other veterans the Mets inked to a minor league deal this offseason that competed for the job Shreve eventually won was Alex Claudio. He has spent his entire year in Triple-A with some promising numbers to make a case for a promotion.

Through 24.2 innings, Claudio is 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA. A pitcher with good control but relatively low strikeout numbers, he’s someone who needs good defense behind him to be successful. He might translate well on this Mets team.

Claudio is not, however, a member of the 40-man roster. To get promoted, someone else would have to be designated for assignment to clear room. Jake Reed might make the most sense. His time with the Mets has been unproductive. He is also very replaceable with one look at the waiver wire.

Claudio does own a solid 3.63 ERA in 344.1 big league innings but his best days all came in his first four seasons with the Texas Rangers. In all of those years, he had an ERA below 3.00. The most recent four years includes a low of 4.06 but with a league-leading 83 games played back in 2019.

For an innings eater, Claudio might be a temporary answer for the Mets. It would take much more than the 5.51 ERA performance he has last year with the Los Angeles Angels for the team to not add someone from outside the organization.