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3 small yet smart Mets trade targets the team should consider this offseason
The Mets are yet to address their need for a left-handed relief pitcher.
The New York Mets have addressed many depth needs this offseason. They have signed a multitude of right-handed relief pitchers to one-year or minor-league contracts. The team has just recently addressed a swing role candidate in Adrian Houser and a right-handed hitting fourth outfielder in Tyrone Taylor. The Mets have also claimed Zack Short, Cooper Hummel, and Tyler Heineman off waivers, all serving a purpose around the diamond and in the outfield.
The one area David Stearns is yet to address even for minor league depth purposes is left-handed relief options. Currently, the Mets have just Brooks Raley and Josh Walker as significant pieces to the bullpen moving forward. With rookie manager Carlos Mendoza at the helm, this would limit his ability to mix and match with the best left-handed bats in the NL East such as Bryce Harper and Matt Olson. Some options have come off the free agent market with Andrew Chafin and Will Smith both signing one-year contracts elsewhere. With the Mets seeming reluctant to part with top prospects, who are the best trade options at a reasonable price?
1. Andrew Saalfrank, Arizona Diamondbacks
When searching for quality relief pitching, the reigning National League Champions is always a good place to start. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2019 draft out of Indiana University in Bloomingdale, Andrew Saalfrank has established himself as an under-the-radar quality pitcher in the minor leagues. In 3 minor league seasons, Saalfrank pitched to a 3.04 ERA in 130.1 innings with 66 walks and 185 strikeouts. He made his major league debut this past September for the Diamondbacks, allowing 2 unearned runs in 10.1 innings pitched.
Saalfrank does not possess an overpowering arm, averaging 92.5 MPH on his fastball, but his curveball mix is his bread and butter. He has always been a strikeout pitcher, having 93 of them in 64 innings between AA and AAA last season. For a rookie pitcher, he showed great composure in the World Series throwing 2.1 scoreless innings in 3 appearances against an elite Texas Rangers lineup.
The Mets should explore a trade for Saalfrank as a pairing piece in the bullpen for Raley. He has options to the minor leagues, meaning Saalfrank can be a depth piece if he struggles early on. The rookie's best quality is his consistency all throughout his minor league career: 3.55 ERA in 2019, 3.53 ERA in 2022, and 2.53 ERA in 2023. With most free agents coming with many innings on their arms and inconsistent track records, the 26-year-old Saalfrank would be a breath of fresh air.
2. Luke Little, Chicago Cubs
If the Cubs want to make a trade with the Mets, maybe they should start smaller than Pete Alonso. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 draft from Charlotte, North Carolina, Luke Little has a reputation as a hard-throwing left-hander with a knack for getting ground balls. Across 3 minor league seasons, Little had a 2.50 ERA in 140.1 innings pitched with a whopping 225 strikeouts. He made his major league debut this past September, where he pitched 6.2 scoreless innings with 4 walks and 12 strikeouts.
Little is one of the hardest throwing left-handers baseball has ever seen, averaging almost 99 MPH on his fastball. His low-80’s slider is a great compliment keeping batters off balance and its sweeping action records a lot of strikeouts against left-handed hitters. Little’s biggest drawback is his control, as he walked 85 in 140.1 minor-league innings. He is still developing a split-changeup, which was used as the reason for his high walk rate.
The Mets should explore a trade for Little as he is only the 25th-ranked Cubs prospect according to MLB Pipeline. This means a low-level or two prospects from the Mets could entice the Cubs. As with Saalfrank, Little has options to the minor leagues in the event he needs to restructure his command. Lacking hard throwers in the bullpen, the Mets could have a complimentary piece to pair with the soft-tossing Raley should they consider Little as an option.
3. Tom Cosgrove, San Diego Padres
Why trade for a rental in Juan Soto when we can have a young controllable relief pitcher? Drafted in the 12th round of 2017 from Manhattan College, Tom Cosgrove has become more than the left-handed specialist he was advertised to be. After moving to the bullpen in AA, the Staten Island native pitched to a 2.36 ERA in 26.2 innings in 2021 and a 3.72 ERA in 55.2 innings between AA and AAA in 2022. He was even more impressive in his 2023 rookie season with the Padres, pitching to a 1.75 ERA in 51.1 innings with 44 strikeouts.
Cosgrove is a pure replica of Jerry Blevins. He possesses a devastating slider that sits in the low-80s and can surprise batters with a 92 MPH fastball. Though most effective against left-handers, Cosgrove proved he could get righties out at the major league level as well. His control is much more defined than that of Saalfrank or Little, walking just 19 batters in 51.1 innings pitched.
With the Padres open for business, the Mets should explore this trade given the volatility the free agent market is offering. At just 27 years old, Cosgrove has the opportunity to pair with Edwin Diaz in the late innings for years to come. Given the Mets are building for 2025 and beyond, all three of Saalfrank, Little, and Cosgrove would fit into this equation. Unlike signing a veteran free agent to a multi-year contract, none of the above come with financial risk and have minor league options if necessary.
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