Every winter, teams look to find big-time players that can lead them to October baseball. But in reality, it is often the role players and non-stars that are the backbone of playoff caliber teams. So who are some under-the-radar names the Mets should consider bringing in this off-season?

1. LHP Wade Miley

Miley, now a journeyman lefty, was spectacular for the Brewers last year when they needed him the most. He started 16 games, averaged five innings per start, and went 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Miley was signed to a minor league deal on February 16th, and wasn’t on the active roster util May 2nd. Miley then spent from May 9th through July 12th on the disabled list. Miley pitched to a 1.57 in July, by far his best month of the season.

In his first career playoff appearance, Miley threw 14.2 innings in 4 starts, boasting an amazing 1.23 ERA. One start did end up being a “show-me-start”, as Craig Counsel started Miley and pulled him after one batter in an attempt to out-manage Dave Roberts. Essentially, Miley recorded a 1.23 ERA in 3 starts, and gave a much needed boost to the Brewers rotation in October.

Due to a severe lack of starting pitching depth, there is a decent chance Wade Miley returns to Milwaukee, but he seems to be a solid option for the Mets to fill one of two holes: fifth starter or lefty reliever.

2. INF/OF Josh Harrison

After failing to post an OPS of .700 in 2018, the former Pirates second baseman is entering free agency at the worst possible time. With his value never being lower, the former All-Star could be a smart buy-low option.

The 31 year old veteran has seen more than thirty games at five or more positions, posing value as a super-utility man, a mold that Ben Zobrist has perfected with the Cubs and was a huge reason why they won the World Series in 2016.

Harrison is a second baseman by trade as hes played 397 games there, but has also seen 266 games at third, and 110 in the corner outfield spots. For his career, Harrison is an above average defender at third and second, posting a career RDRS (Defensive Runs Saved Above Average) of 20 at both positions.

Even with an offensive drop off in 2018, Harrison is still worth a flyer. He only played 97 games in 2018 due to a fracture of the 5th metacarpal bone in his left hand. That bone presses up directly against the nob of the bat for a righty, which has direct effect on your swing. After an injury plagued season, could Josh Harrison be a piece to the Mets’ puzzle in 2019?

3. LHP Oliver Perez 

Now… hear me out on this one. Oliver Perez was awesome in 2018. After signing a major league deal in early June with the Indians, he was given a chance and never looked back. He pitched to a 1.39 ERA in 32.1 IP with a WHIP of 0.74. Perez, now 37, is one of the best left handed reliever options available.

His ability to get lefties out last year was one of his best attributes as lefties hit .194 against him. Even more impressive is the fact that righties in turn hit .104 against him. Perez will be looking for a ninth team this off-season and is set to turn 38 during next season.

The addition of Perez takes pressure of Daniel Zamora to be the teams go to LOOGY (left-handed or one out guy), and also gives him one of the better and more experienced minds in baseball, especially considering the nature of Perez’s career and success as a late-game reliever during the heart of his career. Can Mets fans and ownership let bygones be bygones and bring Oliver Perez back to Queens?

4. OF Brandon Guyer

Guyer, formerly of the Braves and Indians, is best known for his ability to hit against left handed pitching through the course of his career. For his career, Guyer hits .274 against lefties, a time span of six-plus seasons.

After struggling last season, Guyer will look for a change of scenery in 2019, and a chance to put his name back on the map. Guyer has seen post-season heroics, as his double set up an infamous Rajai Davis home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, where his double and Davis’ home run sit with Endy Chavez in the Hall Of Amazing Plays In The Playoffs That Ended Up Meaning Nothing.

Guyer is generally a corner outfielder, and has seen no time in the infield. In a left-handed heavy lineup, the Mets search for a fifth outfielder that is right handed and can help balance out the lineup card. As a low-risk-high-reward option, Guyer can bring post-season experience and balance to a Mets offense that can use more of both the aforementioned qualities.

5. RHP Tony Barnette 

Barnette initially burst onto the scene in 2016 for the Rangers with a campaign with an ERA of 2.09 in 53 games. Barnette had a rocky 2017, and returned to form in 2018. With an impending free agency, Barnette picked the right year to show back-of-the-bullpen potential.

Barnette threw only 26 innings in 2018 due to shoulder injuries, but succeeded in the limited time he had. He owned a 2.39 ERA with a WHIP of 0.91 and a K/9 just shy of 9.

Barnette, assuming he can remain healthy, has shown extended glimpses of being a valuable bullpen arm. The injuries don’t help his market value any, but it helps a team looking for his services. Barnette can be the perfect “low risk, high reward” signing for the Mets.

The Addison Reed trade of 2015 taught us that finding relievers is more about finding arms on the verge of peaking, and not ones that have already peaked. Tony Barnette may be on the verge of peaking, and that could do wonders for the Mets if they acquire his services.