3 late-inning relief pitcher options the Mets are already scouting
The New York Mets rumors season hasn’t officially begun but already some names are beginning to float out there. According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the club will be looking to add late-inning relievers but also quality pitchers in general.
Whether Martino has some insight into specifics of who or not, he did mention three names.
Will we see more Mets rumors about these three? Let’s dive into which would be the best fit for New York.
Mets rumors: Could Cubs closer David Robertson be a nice buy for Billy Eppler?
David Robertson is having a fantastic season for the Chicago Cubs working as their closer. After missing a lot of time in recent years due to injury, he seems to be back and fully healthy again and ready to get the final three outs of a game.
On the Mets, Robertson would obviously not be the closer. Edwin Diaz has been great for them this year. Robertson would fill in as a secondary closer options but more so a seventh or eighth inning arm. As much as Drew Smith and Adam Ottavino have been successful this year, it wouldn’t hurt to add someone else.
The need for a right-handed reliever is a little tricky because of the other options they already have on the roster. With Trevor May expected to return as well, they have four righties already in front of Diaz and this doesn’t include Trevor Williams.
It might take an injury for Robertson to become the player the Mets seek. Instead, they should be in the market for a lefty. Chasen Shreve and Joely Rodriguez have been far less effective of late. Fortunately, one of the other pitchers mentioned in these latest rumors happens to throw with his left arm.
Mets rumors: Another chance to add Andrew Chafin to the bullpen
Andrew Chafin was a guy plenty of Mets fans wanted in the offseason. He ended up with the Detroit Tigers where he has gotten the job done. Sadly, not too many other players on the team have had as much luck.
Chafin would be an upgrade over Shreve or Rodriguez. Even if it meant having to designate one for assignment, it would be the right move to make. The Mets have shown a willingness to make baseball decisions this year. Saying goodbye to either of them wouldn’t be all that costly although it does admit they should have gone after someone like Chafin a little harder in the offseason.
Detroit is in a strange situation because they had hoped to compete a little more seriously this year. Unfortunately, they aren’t close to it. Do they sell off any pieces they can or hold onto anyone under team control for next season and give it another go?
There should be a lot of suitors out there for Chafin. His excellence last year put him on the radar of any team in need of a reliever. Another strong start in 2022 should have him as a main Mets target.
Unlike Robertson, it won’t take an injury to convince me Chafin is a good acquisition for the Mets. Keeping two lefties in the bullpen is important. He is someone to watch closely.
Mets rumors: Free agent Trevor Rosenthal isn’t worth the time
Earlier this week, Trevor Rosenthal held a showcase for the Mets and several other teams. He performed well until he had to cut the session short due to a brief injury scare.
Martino mentioned him as one of the players we could see mentioned in some upcoming Mets rumors. However, with the way that performance went, he might not be worth the time or effort.
Rosenthal last pitched in 2020 when he had a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 innings of work. The year prior, in 15.1 innings, he had a 13.50 ERA. So which is it?
His best days with the St. Louis Cardinals are long in the past now. Sadly, he’s one of those guys who had brief major success as a closer only for some struggles and injuries to prevent him from chugging along as one of the premier relievers in baseball. Signing Rosenthal now wouldn’t be an upgrade for the Mets. They would be better off with someone like Colin Holderman in the role and seeing what he can offer them.
In addition to these three relievers, Martino mentions the Mets are open to adding a bat. A yearly tradition for the Mets every summer, their lack of a true DH opens them up to a lot of possibilities.