Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets could make an addition to their bullpen. Right-handed relief pitcher Garrett Richards was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers earlier this week. He cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

According to Ken Rosenthal, a reunion with Mets general manager Billy Eppler is a possibility.

Richards, 34, made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2011. He remained with the organization until 2018, overlapping Eppler’s time as the GM. A former starter, Richards has converted to a bullpen role the last three seasons, making 52 relief appearances for three different teams.

This season as a Texas Ranger, Richards has a 5.27 ERA in 42 2/3 innings pitched. He’s made 32 appearances, finishing the game in 11 of them with one save. Although, his FIP suggests he should be better. At 3.47 it’s the best number he’s had since the 2014 season when he had a 2.61 ERA in 26 starts and 168 2/3 innings pitched.

Richards’ xERA is 4.35, suggesting that he’s pitched better than his numbers have shown.

One of the quickest ways for a pitcher to improve is to change his pitch mix. This season, Richards throws his fastball 25% of the time. Last season that number was 53.1%. Batters have attacked Richards’ fastball for a .405 average and a .676 slugging percentage. In 2021, batters hit .304 off the pitch.

Richards is throwing his fastball at the lowest percentage since his rookie season but he may be best off throwing it even less and sticking to his slider and changeup. Batters have a .232 and .200 average against those pitches, respectively.

When discussing Richards’ fastball it’s important to mention the loss in velocity he’s had over the years. In 2015 he ranked in the 92nd percentile of fastball velo. Today he ranks 64th with an average speed of 94 miles per hour. Traditionally, pitching experts say you want to fall anywhere but the league average on velocity for your fastball especially.

Could Richards be a reclamation project? He ranked in the 87th percentile in chase rate and other advanced stats show he should be better. Richards is a veteran. Something that the Mets desperately need in the pen.

The Mets could certainly afford to take a flyer on him. They’d need to sign him before September 1 in order for him to be eligible for the postseason roster. The Rangers are on the hook for the remainder of his salary which will likely cause more interest from teams.