According to multiple sources including Buster Olney on Twitter, the Mets are one of thirteen teams that have checked in on free agent Brad Ziegler. Ziegler, 37, has been a very effective reliever since his debut in 2008. His funky motion has helped him to a career 2.44 ERA and he has pitched even better of late.
After being traded from the Diamondbacks to the Red Sox in 2016, he appeared in 33 games, recording a 1.52 ERA and striking out 31 batters in 29.2 innings pitched. He has appeared in at least 60 games every season since 2009 and that, paired with his outstanding statistics, makes him a very reliable option.
Free agency is one way to go about improving the bullpen, but another is via trade. It has been said that the Mets would love to get some serious bullpen help when they trade Jay Bruce and/or Curtis Granderson, but they would be okay with getting prospects in return. However, they are not the only tradeable pieces that could net a good reliever.
According to Mike Puma on Twitter, the Mets second tier prospects are drawing some interest and could be used in acquiring some bullpen help for 2017. He uses Brandon Nimmo and Gavin Cecchini as examples. Adam Rubin said that the Mets could trade anybody but Amed Rosario if the price is right, so don’t be surprised if Sandy makes a move for a big reliever on a rebuilding team.
If the Mets trade prospects for an arm and then trade Bruce for prospects (probably more than were traded for the bullpen help), that is certainly a net gain for the team. By the end of the Winter Meetings, you can expect the Mets to have a good arm to pitch the 7th inning in front of Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia. Stay tuned!
