Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Player Data: Age: 31 (3/20/1990), B/T: Left/Left
Primary Stats: 68 G, 64.2 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.268 WHIP, 6-7 W/L, 61 K, 26 BB
Advanced Stats: 106 ERA+, 21.9% K%, 9.4% BB%, 4.67 xERA, 4.58 FIP, 4.76 xFIP, -0.1 fWAR, -0.3 bWAR
Grade: D
2021 Review
Being on the team for just about a month, there were no expectations of Hand going into the 2021 season for the New York Mets, although they tried to make that happen last winter. When he was slotted into that spot after his signing in September, he was not the dominant reliever he once was but was a solid pick-up for the time being.
In a season that saw pitchers coming in and out through a revolving door, Brad Hand was no different. After being a failed trade deadline acquisition for the Toronto Blue Jays after a decent first half with the Washington Nationals, the Mets picked up the former All-Star on September 2 to aid in the process of making what had become unlikely trip to the postseason. In his short tenure with the Mets, the southpaw gave the team a decent, albeit unspectacular, performance.
After posting a 3.59 ERA and 21 saves to start the season with the Nationals, Hand was dealt to the Blue Jays on July 29 in hopes of being an impactful deadline acquisition for the team. It sure did not pan out that way as in just 8 2/3 innings pitched, he had an ugly 7.27 ERA while giving up three home runs. The lefty was then released by the Jays on August 31, only for the Mets to pick him up two days later.
The three-time All-Star first appeared in a game for the Mets on September 4 against his former team, the Nationals. During his 2/3 of an inning pitched, he gave up an unearned run and a couple of hits, but had an overall solid first outing in pinstripes. After having a horrid month of August that ended with an 8.22 ERA, Hand came to the Mets and had a decent comeback, accumulating a 2.92 ERA in September. This also included a few blown saves, but overall, it was obviously a much better performance. However, it wasn’t hard to perform better than he did with the Blue Jays.
In the latter part of the last half-decade, Hand has been one of baseball’s most dominant relief pitchers. His seasons with the San Diego Padres and the Cleveland Guardians were aided by his dominant slider and his four-seam fastball. Both of these were relied upon heavily by Hand during the 2021 season.
Overall, Hand’s performance was full of ups and downs. After signing a $10 million dollar deal with Washington, it wasn’t expected of him to be released and end up on a division rival by the end of the year. However, at least his season ended on a bright note after an unsuccessful stint in Toronto. Although he was just serviceable for the Mets, he did find a way to salvage his season.
2022 Outlook
Many mainstays in the Mets’ bullpen are most likely or will not be returning to Queens. Aaron Loup inked a deal with the Los Angeles Angels and Jeurys Familia is a free agent that will probably not be back for a third tour with the team. Where does that leave a veteran like Hand? I personally do not see him being back in the orange and blue for the upcoming season. Going into his age-32 campaign, he is not the same pitcher he once was and for a team designed to win now, they need every moving piece to consistently contribute to that.
As mentioned, Hand was given a $10 million contract by the Nationals last winter. Coming off a down year, he won’t be getting the same pay day. But, where he ends up will decide on how much he is willing to take. He could be seen as a trade deadline piece for a sub-.500 team that could afford to spend a few million. It’ll be interesting to see if some kind of market forms for him once the lockout is over.
