Mets rumors: White Sox pitcher playing better than his ERA is a "buy low" option

A late Monday round up of New York Mets rumors at MLBTR points at a couple of names we could see in Queens soon enough. More fantastical is Miami Marlins star closer Tanner Scott. We should have our expectations lowered in regards to him.

Far more realistic is a trade with the White Sox for Tanner Banks or John Brebbia. Brebbia was a Mets free agent target from the offseason who had some solid seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants in the past. He’s having a very White Sox season, going 0-6 with a 5.71 ERA.

Why bother getting him? The numbers are a bit deceptive. Add in a team option for $6 million next year, he’s an entirely realistic choice to see traded to the Mets.

Why the John Brebbia trade to the Mets rumors make sense

Brebbia has gotten beat up a lot lately. He has two blown saves in his last three outings. If you’re only going to look at his ERA, you’re not going to find much to like about him. It has been elevated for much of the season largely because of multiple appearances where he gave up more than an earned run.

He has been an every-other-month reliever this season. Posting a 2.70 ERA in April and a 1.32 ERA in June, they come right alongside a 10.50 ERA in May and now an 8.31 ERA in July. It shouldn’t cost a thing to obtain him.

Despite the coldness at times and overall poor numbers on the year, Brebbia brings something to the table. His 3.57 FIP is incredibly positive. Built so strongly because he doesn’t walk a lot of batters and piles up strikeouts, it’s not quite fair to call him “unlucky” because of the 9.4 hits per 9 he has allowed. He’s currently at 2.6 walks per 9 and 11.6 strikeouts per 9. You wouldn’t think a guy with these totals would be having such a lousy season. Perhaps he isn’t.

If it cost the Mets Rhylan Thomas for Ryne Stanek, a prospect not even ranked within their top 30 should be the price for Brebbia. He’d be worth it if for no other reason than to try to tap into the upside and benefit from his theme of pitching well every other month. Those August games count just as much as September.

The price tag on a pitcher like Scott should be significant and thus far we’ve seen the Mets hold strong against making any rash decisions. Brebbia would be a clever buy low move. And as we know with relief pitchers, there always comes some risk with it.

The downside is the Mets probably only have room for one more relief pitcher trade even if they move Jose Butto to the rotation. Some creativity can give them additional space. But with Sean Reid-Foley coming back and Reed Garrett in the mix to return, it might be an either/or and not a situation where the Mets stockpile arms.