Ken Davidoff of the New York Post notes that relievers Jake Diekman and Daniel Hudson could be fits for the Mets this offseason as they look to improve their bullpen. The Mets negotiated with both pitchers last offseason, though they ultimately signed elsewhere, according to Davidoff.
Diekman, 32, pitched to a 4.65 ERA, 3.55 FIP, and 1.42 WHIP in 62 innings between the Royals and A’s during the 2019 season. While he did strike out 84, he also walked 39 batters in that span. Walks have been an issue for the left-hander his entire eight-year career, he has a 5.0 BB/9 in 374 big league innings.
One thing important to note with Diekman – have to start keeping in mind the three-batter minimum rule for 2020 – is that he doesn’t have big-time splits, righties have career .679 OPS off the lefty and lefties have a .641 OPS against him.
Diekman was a two-pitch guy in 2019 that had his highest fastball velocity (96.25 MPH) since 2015 and used his slider career-high 46% of the time.
The former Phillies draft pick made $2.25 million in 2019 and had his $5.75 million option for 2020 decline by Oakland.
Hudson, 32, goes into the offseason as the pitcher that locked down the final out of the 2019 World Series. He had a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 innings during the Nationals’ championship run.
The veteran right-hander had a 2.47 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, and eight saves in 73 innings between the Blue Jays and Nationals in 2019. He had a 8.8 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 during that span. His 2.0 bWAR is the best since 2010 when he was a starter with the Diamondbacks. He had a base salary of $1.5 million for 2019.
One of the Mets clear needs heading into this crucial offseason is building up a bullpen that struggled in 2019.
