(Updated 6/20)
Andy Martino of the Daily News argues that the Mets need to upgrade their bullpen at the trading deadline in addition to their lineup.
“You think?” one team official said on Tuesday, when asked if the Mets needed to acquire a reliever.
Martino says that the Mets do not have a solid 8th inning option to compliment their dominating closer Jeurys Familia.
“Is there any way the Mets can plug this eighth-inning hole? The team had introduced one top pitching prospect after another since 2012, and is nearly tapped out. Once Steven Matz debuts, all of the team’s top arms will have tasted the major leagues, and no one who projects to make an impact this year will be left in the minors. And a survey of familiar names yields no solutions”
One trade target Martino mentioned was the A’s Tyler Clippard, who will be a free agent after this season. He owns a 2.88 career ERA, and he has been one of the best setup men in the league over the past few years.
While the Mets could certainly benefit from adding a pitcher like Cilppard, I don’t think the bullpen situation is as problematic as Martino suggests.
The Mets’ relievers this season rank inside the top ten in the MLB in ERA, WHIP and Batting Average Against. Reinforcements are also coming as Bobby Parnell has just returned and looked good, while Jenrry Mejia‘s suspension will soon be coming to an end.
There’s also Vic Black, who despite suffering a setback recently, could still be a valuable arm down the stretch. And recent call-up Logan Verrett impressed in his Mets debut this week in Toronto.
This seems like an issue that could work itself out, so I’d rather they trade for a bat instead of an arm for the bullpen.
